MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

General Headquarters - P.O. Box 568 - Jefferson City, Missouri 65102


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Captain J. T. "Tim" Hull
573-526-6115
Q6112012-1
June 11, 2012

EMPHASIS: Highway Patrol Set To Participate In National Effort—Operation Dry Water—To Crackdown On Impaired Boaters

Colonel Ronald K. Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the Patrol's participation in Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign in which marine law enforcement officers from across the country coordinate special patrols during the last weekend in June to achieve a high visibility of boating under the influence enforcement. Troopers will focus their efforts over the weekend of June 22-24, 2012, to detect and apprehend intoxicated operators.

Missouri boat operators found to have a blood alcohol content of .08% will be arrested for boating while intoxicated. A vessel operator with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit runs a significantly increased risk of being involved in a boating crash. Last year in Missouri, just over half of the fatal boating crashes had alcohol as a contributing factor.

Boating in Missouri is a fun and enjoyable experience for the vast majority of the boating public. To ensure the safety for all people on the water, boaters should designate a sober operator for their vessel anytime their plans include alcohol.

(###)