July 5, 2025 – Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office officials report that as part of a national effort to raise awareness about the risks of impaired boating, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Marine Safety Division will join law enforcement agencies across the country in supporting the annual Operation Dry Water campaign during the Fourth of July weekend.

Operation Dry Water is a nationwide campaign to increase awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence and support enhanced enforcement efforts. Alcohol continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating deaths and plays a major role in serious boating incidents. We encourage all boaters to prioritize safety by committing to sober boating practices year-round. Impairment from alcohol or any drug—legal or illegal—significantly hinders judgment, coordination, and reaction time on the water.

Operation Dry Water provides an opportunity for deputies to engage directly with the boating community regarding the dangers of impaired operation and the importance of making responsible choices on the water. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is committed to promoting safe practices, including sober boating, life jacket use, and boater education, to help prevent incidents and save lives.

During Operation Dry Water, boating safety advocates, volunteers, and law enforcement officers will collaborate to promote safe boating practices at marinas and on waterways across all U.S. states and territories. During the 2024 campaign, officers across the country removed 584 impaired boat operators from the water, helping to prevent potentially life-threatening incidents. Through this focused effort and periodically during the boating season, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office will deploy additional Marine Safety deputies on the waterways and coordinate focused efforts with our local partners to encourage responsible boating practices and hold accountable those who violate the law.

Boaters can learn more about boating under the influence by visiting operationdrywater.org. Operation Dry Water is coordinated nationally by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Source: Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office