4th of July in Destin: Officials crack down on BUIs, careless boating with Operation Dry Water
DESTIN — Law enforcement officials are urging people to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend responsibly by designating a sober driver as record numbers of boaters are expected to take to the water.
Boating accidents in Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties have more than doubled only halfway into 2022. Last year there were 14 boating accidents and two fatalities. By the end of June 2022, there had been 35 boating accidents and six fatalities.
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The Fourth of July is known as one of the busiest holidays on the water, and local officers plan to have “all hands on deck” to help deter crashes and enforce boating under the influence laws.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Coast Guard and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office held a joint press conference in Destin on Wednesday to announce Operation Dry Water, which kicks off Saturday.
“We’re going to be looking for reckless and careless operations,” said Sgt. Kyle Corbitt, head of the OCSO’s Marine Unit. “The heightened enforcement this holiday weekend is to ensure all of our locals and our visitors stay safe here on the waterways of Okaloosa County.”
Operation Dry Water is a national campaign that was launched in 2009 by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators. FWC Lt. Col. Gregg Eason said the campaign has been “highly successful” at drawing public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence.
“We really do a better job when we work as a team, and that’s what we want to do,” Eason said. “We want to encourage the general public to understand that and also participate in reporting drunk boating this weekend.”
Last year in Florida, 23% of fatal accidents were related to alcohol or drug use. A large number of boating accidents occurred in July, at a total of 79. Those accidents resulted in two fatalities, 53 people injured and more than $1 million in damage.
Okaloosa has consistently ranked in the top 10 for boating crashes, and BUI arrests have been trending up for the past four years partly due to increased enforcement and more boats on the water.
In 2020 and 2021, the OCSO booked more people for BUIs than any other sheriff’s office or police department in Florida.
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The OCSO, FWC and Coast Guard will have 10 to 12 vessels patrolling the water at any given time over the holiday weekend.
The FWC is more than doubling its resources, with at least four boats and eight officers. On an average day there are about two FWC boats on the water.
Patrols will largely be focused on popular tourist spots like Crab Island, Santa Rosa Sound and some nearby bayous. However, Corbitt said boaters can expect to see law enforcement vessels spread “all throughout the county waterways.”
“Due to record number of boaters on the water this year and July 4th typically being the busiest of the year, our goal is to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water,” he said. “We will be enforcing all state boating laws.”
Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher — the same BAC that applies to driving under the influence — could land violators with fines, impoundment of their boat, suspension of boating privileges and even jail time.
“We all have a zero tolerance policy for boating under the influence, as it is a significant safety factor for boaters on the water,” said Cory Palmer, senior chief petty officer and the officer in charge at Coast Guard Station Destin. “Just like driving a car, driving a boat carries the same responsibilities.”
Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. Alcohol used by passengers can also be dangerous. Intoxicated passengers can easily slip, fall overboard or suffer other life-threatening accidents.
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Almost half of tourists who were taken to the HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital last year were treated for traumatic injuries suffered at Crab Island. Most of the injuries came from diving into the shallow water, but many also occurred when passengers fell overboard.
“We want Florida boaters to have fun, but we’re also asking that boaters have a plan,” Eason said. “That plan should include having a designated operator while out here on the water.”
Boaters also need to ensure they have the proper safety equipment aboard their vessel be aware of speed limits in no-wake zones. Any child 6 years old and under is required to wear a life jacket on a vessel that’s under 26 feet long.
“We also want to encourage the general public to understand that they can report impaired boaters while they’re out there on the water,” Eason said.
Boating under the influence can be reported by calling 888-404-3922 or by texting Tip@MyFWC.com. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Operation Dry Water: FWC stresses sober July 4th boating in Destin
