BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Sheriff’s Office is taking part in a nationwide effort to educate recreational boaters nationwide about the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The annual Operation Dry Water campaign is take place between July 1 and 3.
Its mission is to decrease the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water.
Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating incidents. The Branch County Sheriff’s Office encourages all boaters to enjoy this boating season and help keep everyone safe by choosing to boat sober.
They also say the use of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgment and reaction time.
As part of Operation Dry Water weekend, recreational boating safety advocates and volunteers, in collaboration with law enforcement in every U.S. state and territory, will be out at marinas and on the water educating boaters about safe boating practices. Law enforcement will also be working to identify and remove dangerous and impaired operators.
Operation Dry Water is coordinated nationally by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.
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