Maine State Wildlife Officials To Take Part In National ‘Dry Water’ Campaign This 4th

Members of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife are asking folks to stay safe and sober on Maine's waterways this 4th of July holiday.

State game wardens and marine patrol officers will be hitting the water alongside boaters, conducting patrols on Maine's public waterways this weekend, from the southernmost points up to the border of Canada. They won't be alone, as law enforcement members from across the nation will be doing the same in other states.

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"Operation Dry Water" is an outreach campaign put on by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and the aim of it is to keep the nation's waters a place everyone can enjoy safely.

MDIF&W Communications Director, Mark Latti, says boaters can expect to see wildlife officials and law enforcement out in full force over the holiday weekend.

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"Game wardens and marine patrol officers will prioritize educating boaters about safe practices, emphasizing the importance of sober boating and lifejacket laws. They will also educate boaters on headway speed requirements and the importance of clean, drain, dry practices to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species."

Latti says boaters should be aware that operating a watercraft under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in the state of Maine, as it can impair the operator's senses and reaction time.

It's also important for everyone onboard a boat to have appropriate flotation devices and life jackets available.

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You can find out more information on Operation Dry Water by clicking here. You can also find out more about Maine's boating laws by clicking here.