MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q11202014-1 (573) 526-6115

November 20, 2014
EMPHASIS: NASBLA, Patrol Release Operation Dry Water Results

Colonel Ronald K. Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is pleased to inform the public of the national and state results from Operation Dry Water 2014. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators announced today that law enforcement officers made contact with 146,711 boaters as part of Operation Dry Water’s education and awareness efforts. This year, 585 local, state, and federal agencies from every U.S. state and territory participated in this special enforcement operation. This nationwide enforcement weekend took place from June 27-29, 2014.

The goal of Operation Dry Water and those who participate is to increase awareness throughout the year among recreational boaters about the dangers of operating a vessel while under the influence. This year’s Operation Dry Water welcomed more participation by law enforcement agencies across the nation. There was also an increase in national media coverage of the campaign, another way to share the message to never go boating under the influence.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, since the launch of Operation Dry water in 2009, the number of boating fatalities with alcohol named as a contributing factor has decreased from 19 percent to 16 percent in the United States. However, alcohol remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in this country.

The Missouri Operation Dry Water occurred on waterways throughout the state and included 99 Missouri State Highway Patrol marine operations troopers. During the national enforcement project, troopers held two sobriety checkpoints and four saturations. A total of eight people were arrested statewide for boating while intoxicated, 431 vessels and 1,390 boaters were contacted, and 72 boating violation summonses and 390 warnings were issued. Marine operations troopers also issued 29 summonses for non-boating violations during the 2014 Operation Dry Water weekend.

The Patrol encourages watercraft operators to ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Motorists should protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!
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