Date: 07/01/10
Contact: Edwin Lyngar
Phone: (775) 688-1548

STATEWIDE BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE ENFORCEMENT NETS ARRESTS, MAKES LAKES SAFER

Game wardens with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) participated in a nationally coordinated boating safety enforcement effort dubbed “Operation Dry Water” this past Saturday, arresting three drunken boat operators and issuing 125 boating safety citations.

“We were not out there to write tickets, but rather we wanted to make the lakes safer for everyone this weekend," said David Pfiffner, Nevada’s Boating Law Administrator. "Getting drunken boaters off the water is one of our top boating safety priorities.”

As part of the program, NDOW coordinated boating safety patrols at waterways across the state. Game wardens checked 235 boats, arrested three drunken boaters and issued 125 citations for safety violations. In addition, game wardens performed two search and rescues of boaters in trouble and even investigated one boating accident. Park Service employees from the National Park Service at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, worked on this national effort with game wardens on Nevada’s southern waters.

Many boaters don’t realize that operating under the influence carries the same penalties as driving drunk in a car, including steep fines and jail time. More importantly, according to Pfiffner, boating under the influence puts lives at risk. In fact, more than half of Nevada’s fatal accidents last year were alcohol related.

“Every time we work on a needless fatality, it shapes our resolve to educate our boaters better,” said Pfiffner. “We’re not saying ‘don’t drink,’ but we are saying wait until you are back on dry land and you don’t have to drive anywhere before you do.”

Operation Dry Water, launched in 2009, has been a highly successful effort to draw public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence (BUI). It is held during the summer boating season and coordinated by National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), in partnership with the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies. More information is available at www.operationdrywater.org.

NDOW protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.