Sheriff’s office looking to crack down on boating under the influence

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office in early July will be conducting heightened enforcement targeting boating under the influence as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign.

Law enforcement will be focused on educating boaters about safe boating practices, which includes boating sober, and enforcing the state’s boating under the influence laws during the national Operation Dry Water weekend, set for July 3-5.

With the summer boating season underway and the Independence Day holiday approaching, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is reminding boaters that impaired boating is against the law.

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 Washington state it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood-alcohol level level of .08 or higher — the same as it is to operate a vehicle.

Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths, and a major contributor to accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging boaters to enjoy the boating season to its full extent by boating sober, wearing a life jacket, and taking a boating education course.

“The accidents and tragedies that happen because individuals chose to drive drunk or impaired, on land or on the water, are preventable; the decision lies with the individual on whether they choose to operate a boat or vehicle while under the influence,” Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict said.

“As law enforcement, it is our job to do all we can to ensure the safety of our recreational boaters and paddlers. That is why the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is joining other states and agencies across the country to do our part in keeping boaters safe and preventing accidents related to boating under the influence.”