GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Green Bay Police Department is joining in a widespread effort to promote boating safety this weekend.
The goal is to spread awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence.
Beginning Friday, Operation Dry Water goes in effect on the Green Bay Waterways.
The mission is to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related boat crashes.
Police Commander Kevin Warych says boating under the influence can also impact judgment in other ways.
“The navigational rules are commonly not followed and that is speed and no-wake violations.”
According to the latest studies, 19 percent of boating fatalities are related to boating under the influence.
Warych says pre-planning and avoiding taking risks is a way to have safe fun this weekend and the efforts should not just come from law enforcement.
“This has to be a collective approach so if someone sees their friend drinking and wanting to drive, maybe they should tap them on the shoulder and tell them that they will drive instead or park the boat overnight.”
Operation Dry Water runs through July 7th. It is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign.
“Our number one goal is compliance.”
