Officials Cracking Down On Drinking While Boating This Weekend
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Everyone knows it's illegal to drink and drive, but officials are also cracking down on drinking and boating.
This weekend, officials will enforce anti drinking laws with "Operation Dry Water 2014."
Officials will be on the lookout for people drinking and boating. Anyone boating under the influence could get a BUI and could face arrest, fines – and in some cases, could lose their license.
This crackdown has led to drops in alcohol-related boating deaths, according to the US Coast Guard.
Waterways Conservation Officer with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Bob Wheeler joined the KDKA Morning News with Larry Richert and John Shumway to talk about "Operation Dry Water."
The multi-agency effort will, "increase awareness of dangers of boating while under the influence," says Wheeler. The crackdown includes enforcement and prosecution of those caught boating under the influence.
What are the rules?
"The boat code follows the vehicle code as far as driving under the influence," says Wheeler. That means operating a boat over a .08 level means you are boating under the influence.
Listen to Bob Wheeler on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA:
Waterways Conservation Officer Bob Wheeler
Wheeler says it isn't like a check point; they won't be boarding boats without suspicion. They'll be looking for people boating recklessly.
To avoid a BUI, officials suggesting taking along non-alcoholic beverages, lots of food and keeping boating trips short so that you don't get tired in the water.
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