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 Maine Game Wardens and Marine Patrol Officers will have an increased presence on Maine's waterways from Kittery to the Canadian border July 4-6, 2025 as part of Operation Dry Water
Operation Dry Water, a national awareness and enforcement campaign, raises awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence and removes impaired operators from our nation's waterways.
Boaters enjoying Maine’s waters this Fourth of July weekend should remember:
- Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities and a significant cause of on-the-water incidents (Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023).
- Boating under the influence (BUI) is illegal. Operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is against Maine law.
- Boating under the influence applies to both drugs and alcohol. Even some prescription medications can make operating a recreational vessel difficult and unsafe. It is important to check with your doctor about the potential side effects of any medications you might be taking.
- Alcohol can impair a boater's judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold water immersion.
- Sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion—common stressors in the boating environment—can intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.
- The mission of Operation Dry Water is to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and by fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.
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