June 30, 2024 – Nevada City, CA – Nevada County Sheriff’s Office officials report that with the July 4th holiday right around the corner, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) is urging individuals to boat responsibly. Increased activity on the water often leads to an increase in boating incidents and fatalities. In response, from July 4-6, NCSO will actively participate in the national Operation Dry Water again this year, a heightened awareness and enforcement weekend, in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the U.S. Coast Guard. During this time, NCSO and fellow law enforcement agencies will prioritize educating boaters about safe practices, including the importance of sober boating, with a goal of enhancing boating safety.
As the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths, alcohol use is a serious concern. As part of Operation Dry Water, NCSO will actively work to increase public awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs for operators and passengers alike. Boaters will see an overall increase in lake patrols and at recreational boating checkpoints. The top priority during this time is the safety of all boaters on the water, and any impaired boaters or individual posing a danger to others will be promptly removed from the waterways.
"Boating under the influence remains a pressing issue, leading to preventable tragedies," said Undersheriff Sam Brown. "Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion. Our goal is to decrease and prevent water-related incidents when possible. The Sheriff’s Office regularly conducts boat patrol, but we will have an increased presence on July 4th weekend.”
Operating a vessel while impaired is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries, death, and legal consequences. In California, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. NCSO reminds boaters to always boat sober and to wear a life jacket when on or around the water.
Operation Dry Water is a year-round campaign focused on awareness and enforcement of boating under the influence, aiming to reduce alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities. The campaign increases recreational boater awareness and creates a stronger, more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.
Source & photos: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
