ALCOAST 194/17 - JUN 2017 OPERATION DRY WATER

R 151000 JUN 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5P//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N16210//
ALCOAST 194/17
COMDTNOTE 16210
SUBJ: OPERATION DRY WATER
A. 2016 Recreational Boating Statistics, COMPTPUB P16754.29
B. U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Manual (MLEM), COMDTINST M16247.1
(series) (NOTAL)
1. The purpose of this ALCOAST is to provide notice of the 2017 Operation Dry
Water (ODW) heightened awareness and enforcement weekend and encourage maximum
participation from Coast Guard units.  ODW will take place June 30 – July 2, 2017.
2. Alcohol use continues to be a leading contributing factor in recreational
boating-related accidents, injuries and deaths. Alcohol use was involved in
fifteen percent of all recreational boating deaths in 2016 ref (A); ODW directly
supports the National Recreational Boating Safety Programs efforts to eliminate
alcohol related marine casualties. 
3. COMDT (CG-BSX-2) in partnership with the National Association of State Boating
Law Administrators (NASBLA), and many other boating safety partners, will
coordinate this nationwide event. Marine law enforcement agencies throughout the
56 states and territories will intensify BUI awareness and enforcement through
increased patrols and established sobriety checkpoints. In 2016, all 50 states and
6 territories participated in the ODW event. Over 6,200 marine law enforcement
officers representing 538 law enforcement agencies and their local units
nationwide, including 131 Coast Guard operational units, made contact with
131,054 boaters on 55,141 recreational vessels. Federal, state, and local marine
law enforcement officers made 367 arrests for BUI. Additionally, there were 4,975
citations and 13,594 warnings for other recreational boating related safety
violations during the three-day weekend.
4. Operations permitting Coast Guard units are encouraged to partner with state
boating law administrators and local law enforcement agencies to make this year’s
ODW a success.  Participation shall be consistent with Area and District
commanders’ direction.  Units are reminded that BUI enforcement is to be
conducted in conjunction with normal law enforcement operations. Thus, Coast
Guard blockades or other checkpoints designed to specifically detect intoxicated
operators shall not be conducted. However that does not preclude Coast Guard
units from assisting and participating alongside our law enforcement partners
in establishing blockades or checkpoints.  Review ref (B) to ensure compliance
with current Coast Guard policy.
5. Units planning to participate in this year’s event.
   a. To ensure that participation by Coast Guard units is accurately captured,
it is requested that units register at http://www.operationdrywater.org/enforcement
at their earliest opportunity.
   b. At the conclusion of the ODW event, units should fill out the online report
form on the ODW website. An example report form is posted at 
http://www.operationdrywater.org/enforcement  for reference only on what data
needs to be collected. Please do not submit the paper form for official reporting.
6. Units having additional questions or wishing to participate in this operation
are encouraged to contact their respective District Recreational Boating Safety
Specialist for guidance in coordinating efforts in this unique pulse operation.
7. COMDT (CG-BSX-2) POC: Joseph Carro (202)372-1068, or joseph.j.carro@uscg.mil.
8. RDML Paul Thomas, Assistant Commandant of Prevention Policy, sends.
9. Internet release authorized