The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office River Patrol will be participating in enhanced BUI enforcement this weekend.
Launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in 2009, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, Operation Dry Water (ODW) is a national weekend of boating under the influence (BUI) awareness, education, and enforcement. ODW puts thousands of local, state and federal marine law enforcement officers on the water just before the Fourth of July to give BUI enforcement high visibility before a holiday known for drinking and boating.
In 2017, over 7,000 officers from 628 local, state, and federal agencies participated in the 72 hours of heightened BUI enforcement. Over the three-day heightened awareness and enforcement weekend law enforcement officers contacted 243,853 boaters, made 518 BUI arrests, and issued 33,243 citations and warnings for safety violations.
Alcohol was the leading factor in 350 boating accidents in 2016. 83% of people who drowned in a recreational boating accident were not wearing a life jacket.
Avoid trouble while you are out on the water. Ensure that you:
- Complete a boating safety course
- Check your vessel before you hit the water
- Have at least one USCG approved life jacket per person (recommended to have two extra on board)
- Be aware and avoid distractions
- Stay hydrated
- Boat sober
Beginning on June 29th and running through July 1st, the MCSO River Patrol Unit will provide enhanced BUI units on local waterways as part of Operation Dry Water and in support of a safe Blues Festival and the Fourth of July holiday.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the Oregon State Marine Board, the U.S. Coast Guard, and NASBLA, want to remind you to boat safe and boat sober.
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