Operation Dry Water 2023





Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






Operation Dry Water is July 1-3, 2023
warden service bass boat approaching a pontoon boat in the middle of a lake
Keep everyone on the water safe, don't drink and boat

This holiday weekend, the Maine Warden Service will actively patrol Maine?s waterways, keeping Maine boaters safe, and enforcing Maine?s boating laws in order to raise awareness about operating under the influence during Operation Dry Water. Game Wardens will be removing boaters who are operating impaired, enforcing Maine?s Headway Speed law, checking for lifejackets and encouraging boaters to clean, drain and dry their boat to protect against the spread of invasive species.

The outreach and enforcement campaign is part of a national campaign known as Operation Dry Water?is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign with the mission of reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities through increased awareness and a more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug-use on the water.

Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths and a major factor in incidents on the water, according to?U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2021. Keep yourself and everyone on the water safe by saying no to drinking and boating.

*If you are out boating this weekend, remember:*


* Think twice before you or a passenger drinks and boats. Boating under the influence (BUI) is illegal. Operating a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is against Maine law.
* Register your boat. Go online at mefishwildlife.com [ [link removed] ]or visit your town office. Funds from boating registrations and milfoil stickers help protect boaters and our lakes.
* Always wear a life jacket.
* Stay alert and be aware of others on the water.
* Always operate your boat at a safe and reasonable speed for your surroundings.
* Be mindful of headway speed areas on Maine?s waters, and obey all boating laws.
* If your boat has an attachable engine cut-off switch, utilize it.
* Make sure your boat is equipped with all the proper safety equipment, including wearable life jackets for all on board.
* Remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat.
* Always tell someone where you are going, and when you will be back.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Protect Maine's Waters

Help stop the transport and spread of aquatic invasive species, and remember to clean, drain and dry your boat. Once an invasive species is established, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove. Remember, please:


* *CLEAN *your gear before entering and leaving the water access site. Remove all plants, fish, animals, mud and debris from boots, gear, boat, trailer, and vehicle and throw it in the trash.
* *DRAIN* bilge, ballast, wells and buckets away from the water before you leave the area.
* *DRY* equipment completely before launching watercraft into another body of water.
* *DISPOSE* of unused or unwanted bait baitfish on land or in the trash. Never release any live baitfish into a water body.
red stop sign Clean Drain Dry logo [ [link removed] ]

*Do Your Part to Protect Maine's Waters* [ [link removed] ]






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More information

Maine Boating Laws and Rules [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Information [ [link removed] ]

Purchase Your Lake and River Protection Sticker [ [link removed] ]

Online Boat Registration Renewal [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Courses [ [link removed] ]

Help Protect our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species [ [link removed] ]








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ?41 State House Station ? Augusta, ME 04333-0041 ? (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]