The Department of Natural Resources issuing a sober reminder ahead of the 4th of July weekend.

"No matter what the weather is like, the week surrounding the 4th of July is amongst the busiest we see on the water all year round," says Lieutenant Eric Sullivan, supervisor of the Department of Natural Resources Marine unit.

This holiday weekend, the DNR and other public safety agencies will once again enforce Operation Dry Water to target intoxicated boaters.

"Having a drink, heading out, may not seem like a big deal, but it is," Sullivan explains. That drink can change everything in an instant. That choice puts your life at risk, the lives of your passengers at risk. And everyone else out on the water at risk."

Sullivan says half of boating fatalities in Minnesota have alcohol involved.

"If you're impaired and operating a boat or a vehicle, we will find you," adds Sullivan. "We're not going to give you a warning or a second chance. You will be arrested. You will go to jail, and you will face serious consequences. Drunk boating is drunk driving."

Minnesota has particularly strong BWI laws. Anyone convicted of operating under the influence – whether they’re operating a boat, motor vehicle, or recreational vehicle – loses their privilege to operate any of them.

In addition to staying “dry” on the water by avoiding drugs and alcohol, the DNR urges anyone who’s on a boat to wear a life jacket. Oftentimes, boating accidents turn into fatalities because the people who fell overboard weren’t wearing a life jacket.

Sullivan says those other safety considerations are just as important, with the state already seeing four fatalities on lakes - not from alcohol - but from inexperience and not wearing a life jacket.