SHREVEPORT, La. - As boaters prepare to celebrate Independence Day on area lakes and waterways, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement officers are urging the public to make safety a priority and avoid boating under the influence.
LDWF agents will be increasing patrols over the 4th of July weekend as part of Operation Dry Water, a nationwide campaign aimed at preventing impaired boating.
"Operation Dry Water was started in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard," Lt. Frank Reger said. "Since that time, nearly 8,000 boating while intoxicated arrests have been made on the water."
The annual campaign runs throughout the holiday weekend and includes participation from law enforcement agencies across all states and U.S. territories.
Officials say the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for operating a boat is 0.08 percent, the same as driving a vehicle. However, Reger emphasized that alcohol can be dangerous for everyone on board, not just the operator.
"Even if you're not driving the boat, slips, falls and bad decisions can happen when you're under the influence," Reger said.
With fireworks displays planned on area waterways, officers are reminding boaters to ensure their vessels have proper navigation lights operating after sunset. Boats are required to display red and green bow lights along with a white light visible from all directions.
Life jackets remain another major focus for officers during the busy holiday weekend. Children under the age of 17 are required to wear a life jacket while aboard a boat.
Reger encouraged families participating in tubing or water-skiing activities to designate an observer to watch the person being towed while the driver focuses on driving safely.
"If you're pulling a tube or skier, make sure you have an observer so the driver can pay attention to what's happening in front of them," he said.
With increased traffic expected on area waterways, officers are also asking boaters to remain patient, particularly after fireworks displays when large crowds return to boat launches at the same time.
Officials are also encouraging boaters to complete a boating safety education course. Louisiana law requires anyone born after Jan. 1, 1984, to complete the course before operating a vessel powered by an engine greater than 10 horsepower.
The classes, which are available online and in person throughout the year, typically take between five and six hours to complete and cover topics including life jacket requirements, navigation rules, safe boat operation and recognizing dangerous water conditions.
If there is an emergency on the water, boaters should call 911 immediately. Non-emergency incidents can also be reported to wildlife enforcement dispatch by calling 1-800-442-2511.
Officials say the message for the holiday weekend is simple: boat responsibly, wear a life jacket, and make sure everyone returns home safely.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.