KDFW joins national for crackdown boating under influence.

[peter]

Frankfort, Ky. – Conservation officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will join a nationwide campaign to stop boating under the influence June 26-28. Operation Dry Water, a campaign coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, will increase law enforcement presence on the water to prevent alcohol-related boating incidents and fatalities. At least 47 states are slated to participate. Officers will be out in full force throughout the weekend on Kentucky’s lakes and rivers.
“Kentucky ranks 28th in the country for the number of registered boats, but our alcohol-related fatality rate is higher than a lot of the biggest boating states,” said Sgt. John Anderson, boating education coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “So we have a lot of room for improvement.”
Drinking alcohol on Kentucky waters is illegal, both for boat operators and their passengers. Alcohol can impair judgment, vision, balance and reaction time. It can increase the effects of “boater’s fatigue,” a condition caused by sun, wind, noise and the boat’s vibration.
Kentucky’s boating incident statistics are sobering. While 21 percent of boating fatalities nationwide were a result of alcohol use in 2007, Kentucky’s alcohol-related boating fatalities totaled about 50 percent that year.
“This is a national concern. It’s not just Kentucky,” Anderson said. “Our goal is no fatalities on the water, and one of the ways to reach that goal is strong alcohol enforcement.”
Kentucky boaters can expect special law enforcement details at many of the state’s lakes and rivers. Boaters whose blood alcohol content levels exceed the national limit of .08 percent can expect a citation and possible jail time.
“We will have every available officer on the water June 26-28,” said Col. Robert Milligan, director of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s law enforcement division. “Officers will have zero tolerance for impaired boaters.”
As the boating season approaches its busiest time, many boaters visit Kentucky waters from out of state.
“We invite boaters from outside Kentucky,” said Anderson. “Our position is that taking a strong stance on alcohol makes Kentucky a safer place to boat. We’re encouraging tourism.”
Officers will also make routine checks of required boating safety equipment such as life jackets and fire extinguishers. Boaters should check the 2009 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide to be sure they meet all safety requirements. The guide is available online at fw.ky.gov and wherever fishing licenses are sold.
“I fully support our officers’ involvement in Operation Dry Water,” said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett. “Boating under the influence is a serious threat to everyone’s safety and enjoyment on the water. Increased law enforcement presence will save lives and ease the minds of responsible, safe boaters throughout the Commonwealth.”

[Trophyhunter8]

As hot as it's gonna be. They will be the only ones on the water lol.

[ironhead70]

i just love how law enforcement tells everone what they r doing and when they r doing it around here they tell u when they r going to have road blocks and what time and where it going to be so id say its going to be a good weekend to fish since there wont be half of the idiots running around

[raincheck]

I had a freind who got a DUI at Barren for driving his truck too pull his boat out,they got his wife for DUI driving the boat onto the trailer.He has moved back too IN now and i think he learned his lesson.

[Trophyhunter8]

O.K. my wife just informed me that's when the party'ers go out. When it's too hot too fish. Now I understand they are warning the drunks lol again. I only think fishing. would never think of getting on a boat too party. O.k. party'ers stay home those days.

[the_donger]

i just love how law enforcement tells everone what they r doing and when they r doing it around here they tell u when they r going to have road blocks and what time and where it going to be

And yet, there are so many idiots still getting caught...

[ukbass]

Hats off to the KDFW. When I was younger this would have made me mad. But age makes us all smarter. And as a nurse, I cont. see how drugs and alcohol ruin peoples lives. You don't need it to have a good time. I for one don't want to be anywhere near someone under the influence at anytime, especially on the water and when precious commodities, my two sons, are with me. So I say, go get em guys.

[motalot]

***** but I agree!

[DJD]

They should be able to write enough tickets to fund another officer or two if they crack down as much as they plan too . Go to the big lakes, sit at the ramps, use bino's and do on the water checks. Go git em....

[Crappiecrazy fireman]

It's not like it's rocket science to figure out who's drinking on the lake! Go up in these little party coves where all the boats are hanging out together.

[dc chopper]

It's not like it's rocket science to figure out who's drinking on the lake! Go up in these little party coves where all the boats are hanging out together.

Makes too much sense to do that.

[harryprocraft]

i say go get em and if they give you any trouble pull their plug so we can have more structure to fish!!! my wise old grandpa told me the lake has too much water to drink so be careful! i have no simpathy for idiots who drink and drive/boat. I am not an anti drinker but just not while you are in a boat or a car,truck,motorcycle. just my 2 cents though
to all out this holiday be safe