ODNR to step up boating under the influence enforcement

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources announces they will be participating in ‘Operation Dry Water,’ which is a nationally coordinated effort to stop boaters from using drugs and alcohol while on the water.

The extra surveillance will occur from June 24-26 and will mean more patrol boats, extra breathalyzer tests, and checkpoints. In last year’s ‘Operation Dry Water,’ the ODNR Division of Watercraft contacted 563 boaters on 188 vessels and made five arrests for boating under the influence.

The campaign began in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administration in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. ODNR patrols 451 miles of the Ohio River, about one-third of Lake Erie, and more than 605 inland lakes and more than 60,000 miles of inland streams and rivers.

As always, the ODNR advises everyone to take caution when boating. Just like driving a car, anyone found with a blood alcohol content level that exceeds the state limit of .08 will face charges.