GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – With the Fourth of July falling on a Sunday, a busy weekend is expected, and for those heading out on the water, area law enforcement will be there too.
The multi-jurisdictional effort is known as Operation Dry Water.
At the Metro Boat Launch in Green Bay, Jason Dellise was hitting the water. He says his 24-foot long boat called “The Red Pearl,” is built for fun.
“The water’s absolutely beautiful. We got up and down the river you can go, there’s places to eat, you can get out in the bay. You have pretty much endless supplies of water. You got your water sports, just cruising,” said Jason Dellise, Green Bay.
Dellise says the upcoming holiday typically is a busy time on the water.
“The Fourth of July can be very hectic. A lot of people are going to be out, especially when it’s on a weekend,” he said.
Law enforcement boats will be there too. Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Gaven Brault will patrol the Fox River, and waters of Green Bay, looking for boaters under the influence of intoxicants, like alcohol.
“A lot of people take it for granted, I guess. They sit out on the beach such as Long Tail all day. And they’re in the sun drinking, and they’re in the water, so they feel cool. And then when they actually stand, they kind of finally realize like, oh boy, I shouldn’t be driving,” said Gaven Brault, DNR Conservation Warden.
And just like driving a car, Brault says boaters can get a fine.
“It’s just an expensive ticket. How much are we talking? $400 a piece, and there’s like two or three of them that come with it,” he said.
Operation Dry Water statistics indicate alcohol is the leading factor in 23 percent of fatal boating incidents across the country. Another issue is drowning. DNR Boating Law Administrator Lt. Darren Kuhn says in Wisconsin, there were 22 fatalities last season. Leading into the Fourth of July that number is 13. He says wearing life jackets is key.
“Life jackets are tried and true. We know that they save people’s lives. 80 percent of all boating fatalities in the nation are related to drowning,” said Lt. Darren Kuhn, DNR Boating Law Administrator.
Port of Green Bay officials also warn boaters to keep at least 100 yards away from any commercial ships in the Fox River. A 537- foot long tug boat-barge combination was moored on the western bank on Wednesday.
Back on the bay, Jason Dellise is getting in his boating trip now.
“Unfortunately I’m going to be working, but it’s going to be a beautiful weekend from the looks of it,” he said.
Operation Dry Water started in 2009.
In that time, law enforcement officers removed 4720 boating under the influence operators from the nation’s waterways.
They also made contact with 1.8 million more during the three-day campaign.
