KANSAS CITY, Mo.,—The Kansas City District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be participating in Operation Dry Water June 27-29 as part of a nationally coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to boating under the influence.
The mission of Operation Dry Water also brings awareness and education to recreational boaters about the dangers of alcohol and drug use on the water.
"We are dedicated to keeping boaters safe on our waters. Boating is a safe and enjoyable pastime when people stay alert and follow the rules,” said Jonathan Carlisle and Scott Rice, the water safety leads for the Kansas City District. "You will see our park rangers out on the water and at the boat ramps looking for boaters who are operating a vessel under the influence and making efforts to increase boater education.”
Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol continues to be a major problem across the nation. U.S. Coast Guard data reveals that alcohol is the primary contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. Intoxicated boat operators and passengers run a significantly increased risk of being involved in a fatal boating accident.
Operation Dry Water is a nationwide education and enforcement initiative launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in 2009 in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. For more on Operation Dry Water, visit www.operationdrywater.org.
For more information, contact the Kansas City District Public Affairs Office at (816) 389-3486. www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/Safety.aspx.
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Release no. PA-2014-29