Operation Dry Water - Law Enforcement

[peter]

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Conservation Officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will team up with federal, state and local law enforcement officers to make boating safer for families and others during Operation Dry Water, June 24-26.
This weekend is devoted to boating law enforcement and education both nationwide and on Kentucky’s lakes and rivers.
Now in its third year, Operation Dry Water is an initiative launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the U.S. Coast Guard, and partnering state and federal agencies.
During the weekend, boaters will be contacted with safety messages at boat ramps and on the water. “Our goal is to have no boating under the influence arrests and no alcohol-related accidents,” said Capt. Mike Fields, boating law administrator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Operation Dry Water is a way to get the word out that alcohol intoxication and boating don’t mix.”
Fields said almost half of Kentucky’s boating fatalities last year were alcohol related. “Most people understand the hazards of boating while intoxicated,” he said. “We want people to enjoy boating with a clear head.”
Law enforcement officers will be conducting courtesy boat inspections during the weekend. Officers can answer questions about Kentucky’s boating laws and the safety equipment required on boats.
Impaired boaters, who represent a danger to everyone on the water, are of special concern to law enforcement officers. During last year’s Operation Dry Water event, an impaired boater in Kentucky registered a blood alcohol level of 0.30 percent after a breathalyzer test. “That was the highest blood alcohol reading of all arrests nationwide,” said Fields. “The reading was almost four times the legal limit of 0.08 percent.”
Sun, wind, noise, vibration and movement, which are common to the boating environment, when combined with alcohol intake, cause fatigue which impacts a boat operator's coordination, judgment and reaction time.
For more information on Operation Dry Water, visit their website at: www.operationdrywater.org.
Kentucky’s boating laws are detailed in the free brochure Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide, or can be read online at the department’s website: www.fw.ky.gov.

[kygorski]

This is BS!!! I'll bet not one house boat gets check, especially rentals.Having fished dale and cumberland at night, I know there are a lot of drunk boat drivers out there. All they have to do is sit at a dock on either of those lakes and watch the alcohol being loaded onto the boats.

[artcarney_agr]

This is BS!!! I'll bet not one house boat gets check, especially rentals.

A houseboat is a totally different animal than a runabout or ski boat. I have seen KDFWR check houseboats before, but only because the passengers were making it clear that they needed to be stopped.

Also, some houseboats/cruisers are registered for international waters to where the only person that can board the vessel is the Coast Guard.

[first2fish]

Wonder how big the cruiser has to be to get registered for int. Waters ????????????

[artcarney_agr]

Wonder how big the cruiser has to be to get registered for int. Waters ????????????

I was on one that was a 48 ft Sea Ray.

[stripernut]

I was on one that was a 48 ft Sea Ray.

Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance[COLOR=black][/COLOR]
Officers of the Kentucky Department of Fish& Wildlife Resources have the authority to stop and/or inspect vessels to enforce Kentucky and federal boating laws. Additionally, the United States Coast Guard has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.
Officers of the Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Resources have the authority to stop and/or inspect vessels!
Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken, approached or directed by a law enforcement official. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you must reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.

[stripernut]

note the "kentucky and FEDERAL " statement

[artcarney_agr]

Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance[COLOR=black][/COLOR]
Officers of the Kentucky Department of Fish& Wildlife Resources have the authority to stop and/or inspect vessels to enforce Kentucky and federal boating laws. Additionally, the United States Coast Guard has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.
Officers of the Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Resources have the authority to stop and/or inspect vessels!
Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken, approached or directed by a law enforcement official. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you must reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.

The boat owner one time had a state officer get on the boat after he clearly warned him about his registration and that the Coast Guard was the only one who could board without reason. As the officer boarded, the boat owner took pictures; the officer got really upset and nervous about the situation at that point. The officer backed down, abandoned his check, but did manage to write out a littering charge to one of the guys on board - he tossed a cigarette butt in the water without thinking while it was all going on.

The boat owner explained to me that in such a situation, the KDFWR can make the vessel stop, but cannot board. They can hold the vessel until the Coast Guard shows up, but that's about the limits of their authority with such a registered vessel.

[Ky Trophy Fish]

The boat owner one time had a state officer get on the boat after he clearly warned him about his registration and that the Coast Guard was the only one who could board without reason. As the officer boarded, the boat owner took pictures; the officer got really upset and nervous about the situation at that point. The officer backed down, abandoned his check, but did manage to write out a littering charge to one of the guys on board - he tossed a cigarette butt in the water without thinking while it was all going on.

The boat owner explained to me that in such a situation, the KDFWR can make the vessel stop, but cannot board. They can hold the vessel until the Coast Guard shows up, but that's about the limits of their authority with such a registered vessel.

[COLOR=#003366]IS A DOCUMENTED VESSEL EXEMPT FROM STATE JURISDICTION?[/COLOR]

No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel's document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements.


http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/nvdcfaq.asp#22

Read the part about subject to state laws.

[artcarney_agr]

[COLOR=#003366]IS A DOCUMENTED VESSEL EXEMPT FROM STATE JURISDICTION?[/COLOR]

No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel's document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements.


http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/nvdcfaq.asp#22

Read the part about subject to state laws.

You are correct, but it's not an issue of following state laws - it's an issue of them boarding the boat. If KDFWR witnesses a violation, then they can by all means write a citation, but they may not board the boat for random inspections.

Show me the part where it discusses boarding the boat....

[Bass Jr. Executive]

[
Show me the part where it discusses boarding the boat....[/QUOTE]

By the above, do you mean "show me where it says they can board the boat"?

Can you point out the statute or regulation that says they cannot?

I just took a cursory look at the link containing general information, I did not look at the entire "Documented Vessel" body of law. Maybe you have looked at it more carefully Can you point out the provision that prohibits state officials from boarding? I'm just curious, but I find it hard to believe State Law enforcement could be prohibited from boarding a vessel in its jurisdiction.

[HURRICANEBOB]

This is BS!!! I'll bet not one house boat gets check, especially rentals.Having fished dale and cumberland at night, I know there are a lot of drunk boat drivers out there. All they have to do is sit at a dock on either of those lakes and watch the alcohol being loaded onto the boats.

I agree with that! Seems like the cops just turn a blind eye to the rich pukes that rent the fancy floating houses. And then concentrate on the guys in the small boats. For crap sake, what has more room to carry more booze, a 80 foot 2 deck houseboat or a 14 foot jon boat? And which one cause the most damage with a drunk driving it?

Apologize for the rant, but just lit me up. I've seen the houseboat people throw wild crazy parites with lud jams going to the wee hours of the morning. Yet let "bubba" and his 14 foot Tracker crank up the jams at 3 am, and the bubble lights show up.

Law enforcement out be applied equally. And I am sure there are many fine officers who do so.