The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Conservation officers are checking boaters and jet skiers on Claytor Lake for proper floatation devices and safe boating as part of Operation Dry Water. Pictured are: officers David Peake (left) and Gene Wirt talk with a fisherman at Claytor Lake this past weekend.
Recreational boating accounted for 4,291 accidents last year with 658 deaths and 2,629 injuries. Approximately $46 million was recorded in property damage as a result of those accidents according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Alcohol use is the leading contributor and was a factor in 19 percent of the deaths.
The statistics also showed that in76 percent of the fatal accidents the victims drowned, and that 84 percent of them were not wearing a life jacket.
As part of a nationally coordinated effort to educate boaters about the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is participating in “Operation Dry Water.”
This is a year-round national campaign focused on raising awareness about boating under the influence.
Senior Conservation Officer Gene Wirt typically patrols Claytor Lake, where the public safety effort is in full force.
“Our goal is to educate boaters, not only about the laws regarding boating under the influence, but to help boaters understand the danger of boating impaired. Certain factors on the water such as wind, sun, noise and the rocking of the boat all impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time on the water,” he said.
“At any given moment there are individuals in the water, on paddleboards or in other boats that depend on boat operators to be alert and in control of their vessel. People’s lives depend on it.”
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is asking boaters to enjoy this boating season and help keep everyone safe by not drinking alcohol while on the water or operating a boat after you have consumed alcohol. Use of both legal and illegal drugs also impairs judgment and reaction time and makes it dangerous to operate a boat.
In addition to the year-round campaign, the annual Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend will take place June 29-July 1.
This three-day weekend is a national weekend of increased enforcement of boating under the influence laws and recreational boater outreach. In 2017, 518 impaired operators were removed by law enforcement across the country during Operation Dry Water Weekend.
As part of Operation Dry Water, law enforcement, recreational boating safety educators and volunteers will be out on the water informing boaters about safe boating practices and removing impaired operators from the water.
Readers can learn more about boating under the influence by visiting www.dgif.virginia.gov or operationdrywater.org.