Operation Dry Water, a nationwide anti-drunken boating effort aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents, was reported to be a success in decreasing boating accidents during the 2011 July 4th weekend, according to the Daily Press.
The initiative is carried out annually by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. According to the NASBLA website, agencies participating in Operation Dry Water are eligible for grants through state recreational boating safety programs. In Virginia, the U.S. Coast Guard and 13 state and local law enforcement agencies participated in Operation Dry Water by conducting saturation patrols and checkpoints. The Coast Guard boarded 518 vessels during the operation, arrested three people for boating under the influence, cited 90 people, and terminated 12 voyages.
The VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries conducted 13 on-water checkpoints with Hampton Roads police departments. During Operation Dry Water, 387 boats were boarded and two people were arrested for boating under the influence while 105 summonses were issued for violations.
A boating accident can result in death or serious bodily injuries like traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury. If a boating accident is the fault of anyone, an individual may need the assistance of VA personal injury lawyers to file a case against the responsible parties.
To learn more about what to do if you or a loved one is hurt in an accident, check out our Frequently Asked Questions devoted to the subject.
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