Operation Dry Water Targets BUI
 

Operation Dry Water Targets BUI
[I]This was posted in the general section, but I posted it here also. Dont know what impact we will see but worth remembering

Alcohol continues to be a major contributing factor in recreational boating accidents, injuries and deaths. In an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of combining drinking and boating, the National Assocation of State Boating Law Administrators is spearheading Operation Dry Water. This coordinated, national weekend of boating under the influence (BUI) detection and enforcement is being held June 26-28, 2009. The effort is aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities and to foster a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.

Operation Dry Water will directly address two strategies of the National Recreational Boating Safety Strategic Plan:
Strategy 6.2, …increase the number of BUI checkpoints to collect and report BUI and safety compliance data in the Performance Report Part II, and
Strategy 6.6 Challenge law enforcement officials to test more operators for alcohol/drug use in accident investigations.
Curbing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities is a key to achieving safer and more enjoyable recreational boating. In 2007, Coast Guard statistics indicate that more than one-fifth (21%) of all boating fatalities were a result of alcohol use. This continues an upward trend in the percentage of fatalities where alcohol was the primary cause of the accident.

Participating agencies are asked to increase BUI enforcement during the targeted weekend. This can be accomplished by
focusing on a particular body of water,
increasing patrols in several locations,
conducting BUI checkpoints in one or more locations, or
undertaking a combination of these activities.
Agencies are also asked to work with their local media to make the public aware of Operation Dry Water as well as the hazards of boating under the influence.

Communications Tools Available at www.OperationDryWater.org
As the weekend of June 26-28 approaches, it’s time to tell the public about Operation Dry Water. Currently 41 states have committed to participating. With this kind of involvement, Operation Dry Water can have a broad impact if we’re using the same materials and sending the same messages.
Today the Operation Dry Water website, http://www.OperationDryWater.org, was unveiled and, with it, several tools that’ll help you implement your campaign. Click on the site’s “For Law Enforcement” tab and you’ll find (or will soon find):
An Operation Dry Water Checkpoint Plan of Operations that details how to plan and implement checkpoints in your state.
A Press Kit that can be used to distribute information about Operation Dry Water to the media and partners.
Public Service Announcements for television, radio and print. All PSAs can be customized with your state’s or agency’s logo and, in the case of those for TV and radio, a mention. Place them in media outlets and other venues.
Flyers (in black and white and in color) that can easily be customized. Just download the Microsoft Word file(s) you wish to use, add your organization’s name and/or logo, and print. These can be used as handouts wherever boaters congregate.
Customizable Posters (in both black and white and color) that can be posted at marinas and retail outlets, handed out at boating classes, and provided to police and fire stations for display.
An Informational Brochure that gives an overview of the dangers and consequences of boating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Provide one to each boater you encounter that weekend (and beyond).
Operation Dry Water logos, talking points and a proclamation – all of which can be used to help you promote this important campaign.
If you have ideas for other items that might help you conduct a successful campaign, please let us know

Thanks for the reminder.

I wonder how many DNR boats are assigned to our area on a regular basis? Seems like Port Tobacco River or Fairview would be likely places for them check people out.

Yep...especially in light of the accidents an fatalities on the river. The jet ski accident at Belmont that ended a young mans life way to early, last fall the tunnel o/b boat spinning out at Fairview, and injuring his passenger. If the Marine police or CC want to make an impact, how about putting hazard markers around the red day marker just south of Nanjemoy creek, that has caused more accidents than BUI's 3 boats alone on Mem. day weekend hit the rocks. One boater said he was running 40 yards away and hit the submerged rocks took out boat drives. Its only a matter of time till it will cause a fatality.

yeh somthing should really be done about that marker with the rocks around it!!
But there are some people out on the water that just dont have a clue... yesterday I was at 4th point in Port Tabacco and some guy in a big cruiser came cruisin by about 20 yards off the point, right over the sandbar, luckily the tied was comming in, I dont know how he made it. Then he turned around and went over it again, I tried to wave him off but he just waved back

With the economy the way it is most states are going to need federal assistance. I did see a brand new DNR boat running through Belmont Bay on Saturday. I saw Prince William had their boat out Saturday also.

With the economy the way it is most states are going to need Federal assistance. I did see a brand new DNR boat running through Belmont Bay on Saturday. I saw Prince William had their boat out Saturday also.

I'm all for this, based on the things I've seen on the water over the years. If these guys want to make an impact, they'll post themselves just outside of Lloyd Creek, Fairlee Creek, Kent Narrows and the east side of Dobbins Island.

From what I have been told, they are bringing 3 more Game officers this weekend at Colonial Beach. I'm still getting out, just be aware weather it this weekend or another.

how about putting hazard markers around the red day marker just south of Nanjemoy creek

I think its red marker 8. You dont want to go to the outside of it.

Lets get this straight, you come to my back yard and dont even bother to call.:angry-smiley-038:

Why bother, last time I called you, you were a no show at Gilligans. Sharon and I had to drink all the cold beer by ourselves.:kiss:

I got stopped leaving Vera's yesterday. Got a warning for these numbers. I know what the CG book says but geeez, I've had these numbers on the boat since I bought it in '01. Never hassled before. He might of looking for an excuse to check me out.

Ran from Port Tobacco to Colonial Beach Saturday and didn't see any po-po's.

I didn't drink Friday just so there was no carry over in to Saturday....

Dave I got stopped in Salamons three years ago about the same thing. I think he was more intrested in what was riding in the boat. I had the same disscusion, ( Coast Guard ,DC water Patrol, Fairfax, Prince William, other DNR) Nobody ever stopped me before. I ask for a written citation( warning) with the code so I could research it. I did do a reasearch when I got home. I called VA. MD. and the Coast Guard all have the same definition just diffrent wording. Their is nothing in the statue about diffrent coloring in the numbers just that they are ledgable. I think this is his gimmick to pull over people. I keep a copy in the boat now.

I didnt know Mojitos were non alcaholic.:party-smiley-004:

He told me they had to be plain block numbers. It was the font that he said was no good. The color is OK as long as it contrasting with the hull color.

Like I said, I looked it up. The only thing I found pertaining to color was that the color of the letters cannot be contrasting to the boat, so that it makes them illegible. I still run the same ones you have. Just diffrent colors. You can go online and find this information.

I was at Kinsale for the poker run...didnt see any CC, Md Nat resources, or Md Marine police. Did hear they had Md. Marine police boats positioned on St Leonards, creek and were stopping all who left Vera's on Sat. Is that when they got you Dave?

Yup, it was around 7:00 pm.

Saw 2 boats pulled over sat nite in occoquan after Tims fireworks.

So if you're on the correct side of the marker in the channel, is it safe?

Yes. If im out with someone not familiar with that marker, i make it a point to cruise by and show them the rippling water at high tide and the rocks at low tide.

On either side of the red day marker, I think its #8, their are big rocks piled that extend underwater for 20-40 yards to both sides of the marker. At an extremely low tide you can see them. At a normal low tide they are barely visable. Any other time they are below the surface. You wouldnt think that running on the correct side of the marker would put you in danger. But if you run within 40 yards of it you could hit something submerged. Local boaters are aware of it. The Potomac river is a major waterway, their are alot of boaters not from this area running up to D.C. I give that marker alot of room. I wont come within 200 yards of it.

So I heard they had Bellmont bay blocked off and had like 10 cops just getting dropped off by boats onto boats as they did their thing and 20-30 people got tickets and busted for other stuff. I wasn't there any truth to it?

Thanks for the information. I'm planning on making a trip to DC in the next few weeks and I'm not familiar with the Potomac so I wanted to get some insight.

Randy: I'll let you know when I plan the trip.

I was over @ Belmont bay noon Sunday - all was quite, Tims had a huge turn out Sat night for the fireworks and plenty of police were around, I understand a few "occurances" but that happens with any big crowd. A boat was leaving Neabsco Creek Sunday mid day (on plane), boat owners girlfriend was pissed and did not want to go for a boat ride, she jumped off - he kept going - she damn near drowned when finally another boat picked her tired ass up out of the channel - Whoops

My buddy said there was so much fine a$$ at Tims it was unreal.

LapsofReason

You should have seen the Sonic at Tims II. I think it was a
41' just out past the dock that had about 4 or 5 girls on it. Man that show the two put on that were on the front of the boat should have been rated R, but I was not complaining.

And yes there was a ton of azz up at Tims I in the late afternoon/evening on the docks.

It was the new Sprite with fresh limon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_(soft_drink)

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12288.shtml

I can't post pics- someone want to ID it and post?

This one?

Yep...thats the one. Stay towards the middle on the river plenty of water. This weekend, 4 of July, someone will lose a drive or rip open the bottom of a boat. Memorial day weekend, 3 boats were towed into Goose Bay Marina missing various parts from hitting the rocks.

I saw that same boat at Tims II about 3 weeks ago and there were 4 girls on the bow puttin on an X rated show!!!!

What color is it ? is the older 41 thats black and silver with an arch ?

Nope it was not older. Had to be a 2000 or newer but really cant remember the main color, maybe red??? Still remember the thong on the back and the show on the front though. :grinser010:

I came across a couple of guys today that cut the corner into Nanjemoy Creek and ripped their prop off. They'd been sitting there for like 4 hours. Not much traffic out there today. I gave them a 1-1/2 hour tow back to their ramp. They had a small boat with an outboard.