Lawmakers crack down on boat safety on Lake Tahoe

Lina Portman3 days ago

0 2 minutes read

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Officers from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office will be aboard the Marine 9 in Lake Tahoe as part of Operation Dry Water, a national awareness and enforcement campaign aimed at reducing alcohol and drug-related incidents and deaths on the water. The initiative aims to create a stronger, more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use while boating.

“We’re not really looking to punish. We’re looking to educate,” said Lt. Joseph Colacurcio. From July 4 to 6, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office will be cracking down on boating safety. The main goal is to prevent impaired boating. “We’re looking for individuals who are driving recklessly, dangerously, not following normal boating rules. They’re not following no-wake zones, those types of things.”

Operation Dry Water takes place each year around the Fourth of July, a time known for increased boating activity and alcohol consumption, leading to boating-related incidents and fatalities. “In the state of Nevada, if you are using a paddleboard or similar device, you must have a personal flotation device with you.”

U.S. Coast Guard data from 2022 shows that alcohol consumption remains the leading known contributing factor to boater deaths. And we’re looking for people who violate safety rules on the waterways. “If you have 10 people on your boat, we’d like to see that you have 10 personal flotation devices for each person on the boat, so everyone is safe.” As well as a whistle, flag or flare gun to warn boaters around you of the dangers.

Impairment can lead to slips, falls overboard, injuries and deaths. In 2023, 488 agencies from every state and territory participated in Operation Dry Water. Law enforcement removed 6,869 impaired drivers from waterways, preventing potential tragedies. “If you get a boat that is impaired, you will be arrested. It will go through the whole process, the court process. The judge makes the decision on the fine and the sentence for that,” the lieutenant added.

Members of Parliament will be vigilant and look for signs of impaired boating and will educate boaters about the dangers of operating a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol not only impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time, it can also increase fatigue and sensitivity to the effects of cold water immersion. Common stressors in the boating environment, such as sun, wind, noise, vibration and movement, can intensify the side effects of alcohol and drugs.

Marine 9 has a pilot on board, two Washoe County deputies and a Carson City deputy. The Sheriff’s Office has been involved with ODW for sixteen years and improving boating safety remains a priority. “Safety. That’s our number one goal on Marine 9. We go out there to provide a safe working environment for other boaters. Make sure you follow the basic rules and laws here on the waterways so everyone is safe,” the lieutenant said.