Recreational boaters may want to think twice before reaching for that cold beer this weekend.  Marine law enforcement officers will be out in full force June 25-27 for Operation Dry Water, a nationwide crackdown on those Boating Under the Influence (BUI) of alcohol or drugs.

BUI is a serious problem. Each year nearly 1 in 5 recreational boat accident fatalities is directly related to drunken boaters.  The intent of Operation Dry Water is both to educate boat operators in advance of the July 4th holiday and to get those boating under the influence off the water.

All 56 states and territories are participating, with more than 5,000 marine law enforcement officers from 141 state and federal agencies expected to be out on patrol.  Boaters found to be impaired can expect severe penalties, including fines, jail time, loss of boating privileges, even loss of driving privileges.