Courtesy of MDWFP
This weekend, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) is participating in Operation Dry Water, a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI). The goal is to reduce the number of accidents and deaths associated with alcohol and drug use on state waterways.
Operation Dry Water weekend includes strict enforcement of boating under the influence laws and recreational boater education. The MDWFP is reaching out to the community and to the entire recreational boating community as part of the campaign.
Law enforcement and recreational boating safety volunteers will be out on the water educating boaters about safe boating practices and removing impaired operators from the water. MDWFP supports these efforts to ensure the safety of recreational boaters and water sport enthusiasts.
Tips to staying safe on the water:
- Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. Alcohol and drugs use impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.
- Wear your life jacket.83% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.
- Take a boating safety education course.77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction, where instruction was known.
