Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office
(216) 902-6020
| Ninth District External Affairs U.S. Coast Guard |
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| News Release |
Date: June 25, 2009 Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs |
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U.S. Coast Guard to assist state law enforcement agencies CLEVELAND - Ninth Coast Guard District units will participate in the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Operation Dry Water, June 26-28, 2009, in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents throughout the Great Lakes. Operation Dry Water is a coordinated weekend of national Boating Under the Influence detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities on the water. "Historically, there are areas of the Great Lakes where there have been a higher number of Boating Under the Influence incidents," said Mr. Frank Jennings, Ninth District Recreational Boating Safety Specialist. "In support of Operation Dry Water, the Coast Guard will work with the state maritime law enforcement partners to increase our presence where BUI is prone to exist." Alcohol continues to be major contributing factor in recreational boating accidents, injuries and deaths. In 2008, approximately 20 percent of all boating deaths were a result of alcohol use. Alcohol, combined with the marine environment - motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray - accelerates a drinker's impairment. These stressors greatly affect a boat operator's judgment, vision, balance and coordination. For more information on Operation Dry Water and the negative effects of Boating Under the Influence, go to http://operationdrywater.org/. For more information on the Coast Guard's efforts to reduce the number of alcohol-related accident and fatalities on the Great Lakes, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (216) 902-6020, or your local Coast Guard station. ### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. |
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