Mount Pleasant PD Enforces Operation Dry Water on Fourth of July Weekend
The Mount Pleasant Police Department is taking part in a national initiative, Operation Dry Water, during the Fourth of July weekend. The campaign’s main aim is to educate the public about the potential harms of boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Doubling Down on Safety Measures
The police department will ramp up officer patrols both on the water and at checkpoints from July 4 to 6. The enhanced surveillance is being executed with an objective to deter inebriated boaters before they could pose a threat to public safety on the waterways.
Origin and Objectives of the Operation Dry Water
Originated in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the United States Coast Guard, Operation Dry Water was primarily designated as a national enforcement and awareness campaign to curb the fatalities linked to alcohol and drug-induced boating.
The operation includes officers from all 50 states and several local state, federal law enforcement agencies. Partaking in curbing the incidences leading to recreational boater deaths, predominantly caused by alcohol usage, is now a national mission.
In South Carolina, as in all 50 states, it is considered illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher on any body of water.
The Risk of Impaired Boating
Alcohol not just blunts the boater’s judgment but also negatively impacts their vision and reaction time, thereby making it a leading cause of preventable water-related accidents and fatalities.
For the Mount Pleasant Police Department, ensuring the safety of recreational boaters, along with other waterway users, is a significant responsibility. “Boating under the influence remains a pressing issue, leading to avoidable tragedies,” Cpl. Ryan Culnon of the Mount Pleasant Police Department remarked on the urgency of the situation.
Public Education and Information
As part of the campaign, the public is encouraged to learn more about safe boating practices. The U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety website is an excellent source of information for those interested in enhancing their knowledge of boating safety.
The Mount Pleasant Police Department seeks to make this Fourth of July weekend a safer and more enjoyable celebration by enforcing the rules of Operation Dry Water and emphasizing on sober and responsible boating.
