DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau participated in the national Operation Dry Water campaign June 30 – July 2.
The goal of the campaign was to raise awareness about the dangers of boating while under the influence and promote safety while boating.
During the three-day enforcement operation, 153 officers participated, spending more than 1,800 hours making contact with 1,463 vessels and 5,808 boaters. Six Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrests were made and 478 citations/warnings were issued.
“We stress the dangers boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said Jeff Swearngin, DNR law enforcement bureau chief. “It is no different than driving a vehicle under the influence; in fact, at times it can be more dangerous. It is a serious problem.”
As always, the DNR reminds boaters to boat sober, always wear your life jacket and take a boating safety education course.
Officers spent time at Okoboji, Clear Lake, Saylorville, Coralville Reservoir/Lake MacBride, Lake Delhi and both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
The DNR Conservation Officers were assisted by Arnolds Park Police Department, Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, DNR Park Rangers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Polk County Conservation Board, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Illinois DNR and Wisconsin DNR.