‘Operation Dry Water’ Warns of Dangers of Boating Under the Influence

silhouette of a person in a small boat on a lake at sunset

[Photo by Lisa Music]

Press release from the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways:

On one of the deadliest holidays for recreational boating-related accidents, California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is reminding recreational boaters to avoid alcohol this Fourth of July holiday weekend. DBW and more than 45 law enforcement entities across California will be participating in a nationwide boating under the influence (BUI) effort from July 2 – 4. Dubbed “Operation Dry Water,” law enforcement entities will increase patrols and/or carry out BUI checkpoints.

For the 13th straight year, the goal of the Operation Dry Water campaign is to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and educate water enthusiasts about the deadly consequences of BUI. According to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, where the primary cause was known, alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in the United States.

“Spending time with family and friends in a boat on California’s waterways is one of the most popular ways people enjoy the Fourth of July Weekend,” said DBW’s Acting Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. “We would like to remind boating enthusiasts that drinking and boating is just as deadly as drinking and driving. The environmental stressors of the marine environment accelerate the impairing effects of alcohol. We encourage boaters to keep alcohol off the water completely.”

It is against the law in California to operate a boat or water ski with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more. Officers may also arrest boaters with a BAC less than 0.08 percent if conditions are deemed unsafe. BUI convictions can result in up to six months in jail and/or fines of up to $1,000. Two convictions within seven years could add a jail term of up to one year. Boaters caught operating under the influence may also have their voyage terminated and their vessel impounded.

This year’s Operation Dry Water California participants include:

California State Parks and Recreation Areas
Auburn State Recreation Area (Auburn)
Folsom Lake (Sacramento County)
Lake Oroville (Butte County)
Millerton Lake (Fresno County)
Ocotillo Wells District (Imperial and San Diego)
Silverwood Lake (San Bernardino County)

City Police Departments
South Lake Tahoe
Long Beach

County Sheriff Departments
Contra Costa
El Dorado
Fresno
Glenn
Humboldt
Imperial
Lake
Lassen
Los Angeles
Madera
Mono
Napa
Nevada
Placer
Plumas
San Bernardino
San Joaquin
Shasta
Solano
Sonoma
Stanislaus
Sutter
Tehama
Trinity
Tulare
Tuolumne
Yolo
Yuba

Harbor Patrols
Santa Barbara

U.S. Coast Guard Stations/ Sectors
Channel Islands
Humboldt Bay
Lake Tahoe
Morro Bay
Petrel
Rio Vista
San Francisco
Sockeye

A map of participating agencies with their contact information can be found at: nasbla.org/operationdrywater/enforcement/participating-agencies.

Outdoor enthusiasts are also reminded to recreate responsibly this summer by wearing life jackets and actively supervising children when recreating near or in California’s waterways. Life jackets can be borrowed for free at one of over 100 local life jacket loaner stations throughout the state.

DBW would also like to remind the public that as of Jan. 1, 2022, all motorized vessels operators 45 years of age or younger are required to complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a California Boater Card prior to operating on state waters. Operators who are not in compliance with the law and caught operating without their card will be cited accordingly. This is considered an infraction and base fines can range anywhere from $100 –  $500. Please visit CaliforniaBoaterCard.com for information about the law, a list of approved courses (including a free one), and how to apply for your card.

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8 Comments
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Jeffersonian
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Jeffersonian
1 year ago

More wasted tax dollars telling people something they already know

Bug on a Windshield
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Bug on a Windshield
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeffersonian

Like wasting money telling drivers it’s illegal to drink and drive, yet . . .

Buck
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Buck
1 year ago

Please get your California Boater Card, and don’t drink and drive your boat. If you want to drink on the water have a friend that does not drink drive your boat.

North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
Guest
North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
1 year ago

First I’ve heard about the California boater’s card
Thanks Kym.
I thought there would have been a lot more bitching about boating being a god given right and how they were being singled out

Bug on a Windshield
Guest
Bug on a Windshield
1 year ago

Interesting, this press release states as of Jan. 1, 2022, a California Boater Card is required for operators 45 years of age or younger (news to me and every boater I’ve spoken to today). However, the previous press release (*) states it is 50 years of age or younger as of Jan. 1, 2023 and over 50 as of Jan. 1, 2025.

(*) https://kymkemp.com/2022/06/30/california-boater-card-required-for-some-fines-may-be-issued/

Bug on a Windshield
Guest
Bug on a Windshield
1 year ago

A little digging found this from californiaboatercard.com:
January 1, 2018 – Persons 20 years of age or younger
January 1, 2019 – Persons 25 years of age or younger
January 1, 2020 – Persons 35 years of age or younger
January 1, 2021 – Persons 40 years of age or younger
January 1, 2022 – Persons 45 years of age or younger
January 1, 2023 – Persons 50 years of age or younger
January 1, 2024 – Persons 60 years of age or younger
January 1, 2025 – All persons regardless of age

Lone Ranger
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Lone Ranger
1 year ago

Psych meds and boating aren’t good either, California needs alot more regulations for people taking mentally altering medications.

thetallone
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thetallone
1 year ago

Don’t drink and row.