PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Boaters beware… law enforcement in our region is increasing its presence on the water to crack down on an issue plaguing the area’s estuaries and rivers.
Boating under the influence is a growing problem, according to Ron Evancho with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Last year, he said, there were nearly 1,000 arrests for the crime.
“Alcohol is the primary factor and cause of death,” he said. “It’s actually 16% according to U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating statistics.”
80% of those deaths, he added, happened to boaters not wearing life jackets.
At the Ridley Township Marina in Delaware County earlier this week, Evancho announced that’s why they’re taking part in a special crackdown on BUI through Monday, July 3, called “Operation Dry Water.”
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“It’s a heightened awareness and enforcement campaign to seek out boating under the influence cases on the waterways,” he said.
The multi-agency operation, that also includes the Coast Guard, means an increase in safety checks. “We’ll come alongside if we see a boat violation, like for registration or an operation violation. We’ll do a law enforcement boarding on the vessel,” said Evancho.
Evancho is encouraging folks to have a designated boat driver and to follow safety protocol like having life vests on board, in order to avoid any issues with law enforcement.
“Having just a beer or two, it can definitely affect your judgment out there at that point,” he urged. “Just be aware of it, make sure everybody has a designated driver out there. Take your time, take in some shade when you get a chance to, stay hydrated.”