With Mississippians celebrating Independence Day throughout the state, the Office of Marine Patrol at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) is continuing to participate in the annual Operation Dry Water campaign.
The mission of Operation Dry Water is to educate individuals about the dangers of boating while under the influence and decrease the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water.
MDMR is encouraging all boaters to enjoy this boating season and to help keep everyone safe by choosing to boat sober on July 4 as well as the rest of the year.
The usage of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgment and reaction time and creates dangerous circumstances while on the water.
Recreational boating safety advocates and volunteers, in collaboration with law enforcement in every U.S. state and territory, have been out at marinas and on the water educating boaters about safe boating practices.
Law enforcement will also be working to identify and remove dangerous and impaired operators during the holiday period.
Operation Dry Water is coordinated nationally by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Boaters can learn more about boating under the influence by clicking here.
