Maine Game Wardens and Marine Patrol Officers will be conducting patrols from Kittery to the Canadian border July 4-6, 2025 as part of Operation Dry Water. This national outreach and enforcement campaign is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to raise awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence and removing impaired operators from our nation's waterways.

In addition to Maine, thousands of law enforcement officers across the United States will be participating in Operation Dry Water.

Alcohol use remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities, according to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, in a news release. As part of Operation Dry Water, Maine Warden Service and Maine Marine Patrol will work to raise public awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs—for both operators and passengers. To help keep everyone safe boaters can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence on the water.

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.

MDIWF says boaters enjoying Maine’s waters this Fourth of July weekend should remember:

• Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities and a significant cause of on-the-water incidents.1
• Boating under the influence (BUI) is illegal. Operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is against Maine law.
• Boating under the influence applies to both drugs and alcohol. Even some prescription medications can make operating a recreational vessel difficult and unsafe. It is important to check with your doctor about the potential side effects of any medications you might be taking.
• Alcohol can impair a boater's judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold water immersion.
• Sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion—common stressors in the boating environment—can intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.
• Alcohol use is dangerous for operators and passengers alike. Intoxicated passengers can easily slip, fall overboard or suffer other life-threatening incidents.
• It is crucial that all operators and passengers wear a USCG-approved life jacket. Additionally, operators should utilize an engine cut-off switch, which kills the engine if the operator is removed from the helm.
• The mission of Operation Dry Water is to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and by fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.

Visit operationdrywater.org for more information about boating under the influence.

For information on boating in Maine, please visit maine.gov/ifw.