ALCOAST 391/23 - OCT 2023 OPERATION DRY WATER 2023 NATIONAL AWARDS RECOGNITION PROGRAM

R 161413Z OCT 23   MID120000542019U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 391/23
SSIC 16210
SUBJ: OPERATION DRY WATER 2023 NATIONAL AWARDS RECOGNITION PROGRAM
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 051516Z APR 23/ALCOAST 138/23
B. 2022 Recreational Boating Statistics, COMDTPUB P16754.36
1. Per REF (A), this ALCOAST recognizes those CG units and law
enforcement officers for exceptional performance during Operation
Dry Water (ODW) 2023. ODW is a National Boating Under the Influence
(BUI) Awareness and Enforcement Campaign. This annual weekend-long
operation occurs immediately before or after the 4th of July holiday
(this year's operation was from July 1 - 3 2023), which provides
heightened awareness and enforcement of BUI violations. Per REF (B),
Alcohol continues to be the leading known contributing factor in
fatal boating accidents in 2022, accounting for 88 deaths, or 16
percent of total fatalities. The preliminary results from all
participating federal, state, and local agencies during this year's
ODW were 103,602 recreational vessels and 302,146 boaters contacted,
resulting in 10,088 citations, 32,734 safety warnings and 717 BUI
arrests. ODW is funded through a grant from the Sportfish
Restoration and Boating Trust Fund to the National Association of
State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). NASBLA will release
their final report and awards at their upcoming Annual Conference
in Denver, CO.
2. I heartily commend all 165 Coast Guard units that participated in
ODW 2023, and I want to note the following outstanding performers:
    a. 15 Sectors participated.
Outstanding Sector: Sector Boston contacted 213 vessels, resulting
in 14 citations issued.
Honorable mention: Sector Houston-Galveston contacted 204 vessels
resulting in 3 BUI cases and 8 citations issued.
    b. 15 Cutters participated.
Outstanding Cutter: CGC TERRAPIN (WPB-87366) contacted 175 vessels,
resulting in 1 BUI case and 14 citations issued.
Honorable mentions: CGC WAHOO (WPB-87345) contacted 169 vessels,
resulting in 6 citations issued.
    c. 135 Stations participated and the outstanding performers in
each District are:
        i. D1: 21 stations participated (68%).
Outstanding Station: Station South Portland contacted 125 vessels,
resulting in 15 citations issued.
Honorable Mention: Station Portsmouth Harbor contacted 60 vessels,
resulting in 8 citations issued.
        ii. D5: 24 stations participated (89%).
Outstanding Station: Station Curtis Bay contacted 500 vessels,
resulting in 20 citations issued.
Honorable Mention: Station Fort Macon contacted 250 vessels,
resulting in 10 citations issued.
        iii. D7: 19 stations participated (83%).
Outstanding Station: Station Ponce De Leon Inlet contacted 445
vessels, resulting in 4 BUI cases with a high BAC of .23 and 114
citations issued.
Honorable Mention: Station Mayport contacted 74 vessels, resulting
in 1 BUI case with a BAC of .17 and 21 citations issued.
        iv. D8: All 21 stations participated (100%).
Outstanding Station: Station Galveston contacted 56 vessels,
resulting in 8 citations issued.
Honorable Mentions: Station Sabine Pass contacted 48 vessels,
resulting in 1 BUI case and 4 citations issued.
        v. D9: 25 stations participated (81%).
Outstanding Station: Station Charlevoix contacted 138 vessels,
resulting in 33 citations issued.
Honorable Mention: Station Manistee contacted 120 vessels,
resulting in 1 BUI case with a BAC of .19 and17 citations issued.
        vi. D11: 11 stations participated (85%).
Outstanding Station: Station Rio Vista contacted 68 vessels,
resulting in 1 BUI case with a BAC of .20 and 2 citations issued.
Honorable Mention: Station Golden Gate contacted 40 vessels,
resulting in 1 BUI case and 2 citations issued.
        vii. D13: 9 stations participated (70%).
Outstanding Stations: Station Portland contacted 27 vessels,
resulting in 2 citations.
Honorable Mentions: Station Seattle contacted 22 vessels,
resulting in 2 citations.
        viii. D14: 1 station participated (33%).
Outstanding Station: Station Kauai contacted 16 vessels,
resulting in 1 citation.
        ix. D17: 1 station participated (33%).
Outstanding Station: Station Juneau contacted 31 vessels,
resulting in 9 citations issued.
3. I commend all units and personnel for their dedication and
performance throughout Operation Dry Water. Your continued efforts
to increase public safety and reduce recreational boating accidents
and fatalities is truly appreciated and most heartily commended.
4. COMDT (CG-BSX-2) POC: Brian Moore (571) 613-2728 or
Brian.M.Moore@uscg.mil.
5. RDML Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention
Policy (CG-5P), sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.