Press Releases
06/30/2025
Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police Announce “Operation Dry Water” Campaign to Halt Boating Under the Influence
(HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) will again participate in the “Operation Dry Water” campaign, a national initiative aimed at curbing boating under the influence (BUI). Set to run from July 4 through July 6, this heightened enforcement and awareness campaign targets the dangerous combination of alcohol or drug use while operating a vessel.
As millions of boaters take to the water nationally during the July 4 holiday, the risk of boating accidents and fatalities increases. Alcohol consumption is the leading known factor in recreational boating deaths, and this campaign highlights the critical need for safe, sober boating practices.
During the campaign, EnCon Police will collaborate with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), local law enforcement, and the U.S. Coast Guard to educate the public about the dangers of boating under the influence. Increased patrols will be seen both on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints to ensure that impaired boaters are removed from the waterways, reducing risks for everyone.
“DEEP is working to increase boater awareness of the dangers and risks associated with boating under the influence,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Officers will be on the lookout for impaired boaters on Connecticut’s lakes, ponds, and rivers, as well as Long Island Sound. Boaters will notice an overall increase in officer patrols both on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints. Operation Dry Water aims to create a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water, providing boaters with a safe and enjoyable experience by removing impaired boaters from the waterways.”
DEEP EnCon Police Colonel Chris Lewis said, “Every year we see tragic boating accidents that could have been avoided, had alcohol or drug use not been a factor. Operation Dry Water ensures that recreational boaters have a safe place to enjoy time with their family and friends. Alcohol use can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time with deadly consequences.”
Boating under the influence is not just dangerous but also illegal. In Connecticut, as with operating a motor vehicle, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. EnCon Police urge boaters to remain sober and to wear a life jacket at all times. Effective October 1, 2025 Public Act 25-159 establishes reciprocal suspension penalties for BUI and Driving Under the Influence.
Operation Dry Water is part of a year-round initiative to reduce alcohol- and drug-related incidents on the water by educating the public and creating a strong deterrent for impaired boating. For more information, visit operationdrywater.org or DEEP EnCon Police, or follow Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police on Facebook.
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110