Division of Boating and Waterways Encourages Boaters to Boat Sober this Fourth of July Holiday Weekend
Law enforcement agencies throughout California will participate in Operation Dry Water to help prevent incidents of boating under the influence. Photo from the Division of Boating and Waterways.
SACRAMENTO – California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is urging all boaters to boat sober this coming Fourth of July holiday weekend. DBW and local law enforcement agencies will be participating in Operation Dry Water from July 4-6, 2025, a nationwide initiative to reduce boating under the influence (BUI) and to promote safe boating practices.
“Recreate responsibly: wear your life jacket, designate a sober operator, and make safety the priority every time you’re on the water,” said DBW Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. “Operating a boat under the influence is not only illegal—it’s dangerous. Protect lives by staying sober behind the helm.”
During the Operation Dry Water weekend, boaters can expect:
- Increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints on waterways.
- Outreach and education efforts, including safety demonstrations and informational materials.
- Collaboration with local marinas, boating clubs, and community organizations to spread the message of sober boating.
Launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, Operation Dry Water has drawn public attention to the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol and drugs. According to U.S. Coast Guard 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics, alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Where the primary cause was known, it was listed as the leading factor in 17% of deaths. The goal of the Operation Dry Water campaign is to educate boaters about the dangers of alcohol and drug use while operating a vessel to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities that occur as a result of BUI. Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can also be dangerous for passengers too. Intoxication can cause slips, falls over board and other dangerous incidents.
In California, it is against the law to operate a boat or water ski with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more. Officers may also arrest boaters with a BAC of less than 0.08 percent if conditions are deemed unsafe. BUI convictions can result in up to six months in jail and/or fines of up to $1,000. Two convictions within seven years could add a jail term of up to one year. Boaters caught operating under the influence may also have their voyage terminated and their vessel impounded.
This year’s Operation Dry Water California participants include:
California State Parks
Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA), El Dorado and Placer counties
Lake Oroville, Butte County
Lake Perris SRA, Riverside County
Silverwood Lake, San Bernardino County
Pichaco (SRA), Imperial County
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
City Police Departments
Blythe
South Lake Tahoe
Truckee
County Sheriff Departments
|
Calaveras |
Imperial |
San Joaquin |
Yolo |
|
Colusa |
Los Angeles |
Shasta |
Yuba |
|
Contra Costa |
Mariposa |
Solano |
|
|
Del Norte |
Napa |
Sonoma |
|
|
El Dorado |
Nevada |
Sutter |
|
|
Fresno |
Placer |
Tehama |
|
|
Glenn |
Sacramento |
Tulare |
|
|
Humboldt |
San Bernardino |
Tuolumne |
|
County Parks
Santa Clara
Harbor Patrols
San Diego
Santa Barbara
U.S. Coast Guard Stations/ Sectors
|
Golden Gate |
|
Lake Tahoe |
|
Monterey |
|
Morro Bay |
|
Tern |
A map of participating agencies with their contact information can be found at: nasbla.org/operationdrywater/enforcement/participating-agencies.
Tips for Safe Boating:
- Wear a Life Jacket: Life jackets save lives. Make sure everyone on board is wearing a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that is appropriate for the intended boating activity.
- Know Before You Go: Always check the weather forecast before heading out and remain alert to changing conditions. Sudden storms or rough waters can pose significant dangers. Always have a reliable means of communication onboard to receive weather updates. Before heading out, verify that the water body is open and not affected by any temporary closures or restrictions.
- Carry the Proper Safety Equipment: Ensure you have all the required equipment onboard and in good working condition for a safe and fun day on the water. Review the ABCs of California Boating for more details.
- Take a Safe Boating Course and Get Your California Boater Card: Effective January 1, 2025, all operators of motorized vessels on California waterways, regardless of age, are required by law to possess a California Boater Card. This card demonstrates that the holder has successfully completed an approved boating safety course. The requirement aims to enhance safety on the water by ensuring that all operators are educated in boating laws, navigation rules, and emergency procedures. More information is available at CaliforniaBoaterCard.com.
- File a Float Plan: Let someone know your boating plans before you depart. File a float plan with a friend or family member detailing your itinerary, expected return time, and contact information. In the event of an emergency, this information can be crucial for rescuers.
- Implement Clean and Green Practices: Use oil absorbents and fuel bibs to prevent spills and dispose of them properly. Never throw garbage into waterways; instead, use shore-side facilities to recycle and dispose of waste responsibly. Take advantage of shore-side facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal, and paper. Used fishing line can be deposited at fishing-line recycling stations.
Top and bottom left: Officers from Contra Costa and Yolo County sheriff departments will be participating in Operation Dry Run. Right: An officer conducts a routine vessel stop. Photos courtesy of the Division of Boating and Waterways.
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