Boaters preparing for the Independence Day holiday should be aware conservation officers will be on high alert for violations of boating under the influence laws as part of national Operation Dry Water.

The year-round program will be in heightened effect Friday through Sunday, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Conservation officers in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard will focus on educating boaters about safe boating practices, including keeping alcohol off the boat, for both operators and passengers.

Officers will be on the lookout for impaired boaters. Boaters will notice an overall increase in patrols, both on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints, to remove dangerous and impaired boaters from the waterways.

“Alcohol use can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time,” said Lt. Kenton Turner, Indiana boating law administrator. 

Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries and consequences. In Indiana, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08 or higher, the same BAC for land vehicles.

Conservation officers also are reminding boaters to always boat sober and to wear a life jacket when on the water.