A boater tows a pair of riders on an inflatable around McKay Reservoir just outside of Pendleton on July 4, 2020.

SALEM — The Oregon State Marine Board, sheriff’s offices across the state, and the Oregon State Police will be participating in Operation Dry Water, July 4-6, as part of a national effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII).

Boating under the influence of intoxicants means prescription drugs, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or any other substance that impairs a person’s ability to make sound judgments and safely operate a boat.

The effects of drugs and alcohol are amplified on the water, due to the combined impacts of environmental stressors like sun glare, wind, wave motion and other factors, according to the Oregon State Marine Board. Alcohol also dehydrates the body, making sudden immersion into cold water an even greater risk for drowning.

The consequences of a BUII conviction include possible jail time, a $6,250 fine and loss of boating privileges. Marine officers can legally obtain blood, breath or urine samples if a boater fails field sobriety tests. The US Coast Guard’s nationwide statistics for 2023 noted alcohol use as the leading known contributing factor in boating accidents where the primary cause was known, and was listed as the leading factor in 17% of deaths.

“Recreational boating is a relatively safe activity when boating sober, wearing life jackets, and staying aware of the surroundings,” said Brian Paulsen, boating safety manager for the Oregon State Marine Board. “So far this year, the common denominators for boating fatalities are operator inattention, not wearing a life jacket and operator inexperience.”

If you see an impaired operator or someone who is operating in a way that threatens others’ safety, call 911 to report it.

For more information about Operation Dry Water, visit www.operationdrywater.org.

State law requires boaters to render aid to others

SALEM — The Oregon State Marine Board reminds boaters that it’s state law to help and render aid in cases where another boat is swamped, capsizes or is involved in another incident with property damage or personal injury.

Failure to fulfill the duties of the boat operator (Oregon Revised Statute 830.475) could result in a Class A misdemeanor citation. In cases where the boat operator leaves the scene of a boat accident where there is personal injury or death, the boater may be charged with a Class C felony.

“Boaters need to pay close attention to other people recreating on the water around them, and in many cases, everyday boaters become heroes when others go overboard, helping avert further tragedy,” said Brian Paulsen, boating safety program manager for the Marine Board.