Name:   MovinFr8 - Subject:   Operation Dry Water 2013 Date:   6/17/2013 2:57:17 PM

Pell City, Alabama June 21, 2013 – The Pell City Police Department will be participating in Operation Dry Water June 28-30, as part of a nationally coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to boating under the influence (BUI). The mission of Operation Dry Water also brings awareness and education to recreational boaters about the dangers of alcohol and drug use on the water. 

During the Operation Dry Water, being held the weekend of June 28-30, officers will be out in force looking for boaters whose blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds the state limit.  This weekend will includes increased patrols and breathalyzer tests as well as boater education. Impaired boaters can expect to be arrested or face other serious penalties. In Alabama, the consequences for BUI include:

• On the first offense, a fine from $600 up to $2,100 and/or sentence of one year in jail, and suspension of his or her operator's certification/license for 90 days
• On the second offense, a fine from $1,100 up to $5,100 and/or sentence of up to one year in jail with a mandatory sentence of not less than 5 days or community service for not less than 30 days, and suspension of his or her operator's certification for one year
• On the third offense, a fine from $2,100 up to $10,100 and/or sentence of up to 1 year in jail with a mandatory sentence of not less than 60 days, and suspension of his or her operator's certification for three years.
• Anyone over the age of 21 convicted of BUI who has a child under the age of 14 present in the vessel at the time of the offense shall be sentenced to double the minimum punishment that the person would have received if the child had not been present on the vessel

"We are dedicated to keeping boaters safe on our waters. Boating is a safe and enjoyable pastime when people stay alert and follow the rules,” says Pell City Marine Officer Bo Andrews. "You will see our officers out on the water looking for boaters who are operating a vessel under the influence.”

Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol continues to be a major problem across the nation. U.S. Coast Guard data reveals that alcohol is the primary contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities[i][i]. Intoxicated boat operators and passengers run a significantly increased risk of being involved in a fatal boating accident.

Operation Dry Water is a nationwide education and enforcement initiative launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in 2009 in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Operation Dry Water 2013 is a joint program of Alabama, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Pell City Police Department For more information, visit www.operationdrywater.org.