GA DNR Participates in Operation Dry Water This Weekend

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division is launching a series of public service announcements designed to remind boaters this July 4th holiday not to drink and boat.

Georgia’s DNR is participating in Operation Dry Water, which runs from Friday June 28 through Sunday, June 30.

“BUI’s are the DNR’s number one concern,” noted DNR Law Enforcement Officer Craig Fulgum. “We’re trying to bring awareness and education to recreational boaters about the dangers of alcohol and drug use while they’re on the water and operating their boats. We have a zero tolerance when it comes to operating their vessels under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

In Georgia, the new BUI law was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal this past spring.  The new law lowers the limit for being legally intoxicated on any lake in Georgia to .08 grams per 100 grams of blood from  .10 grams, the same as the DUI laws for vehicles.

The move came after several boating deaths on Lake Lanier last summer that were alcohol related.  Fulgum said so far this year, there has only been one arrest on Hartwell Lake for BUI.

“What we’re seeing is an awareness,” Fulgum said. “We’ve had a lot of tragic events with boating accidents in the past several years.  It’s brought it to the forefront as to what the dangers can be. We do not have an open container law in the boat, like we have for vehicles. What we ask that you have a designated driver in the boat and that way you can get home safe.”

For more information about Operation Dry Water, visit www.operationdrywater.org. and for more information on boating and boating safety, visit the Department of Natural Resources Web site at  www.goboatgeorgia.com .