MIAMI (WSVN) - 7News joined the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Friday, as they launched Operation Dry Water, a push to make sure the thousands of boaters who head out into the beautiful waters of South Florida stay safe.
Authorities will make several boating stops throughout the weekend, to make sure boaters have enough life jackets and safety equipment. They also want to make sure boaters aren’t drinking and driving.
“Our goal is to eliminate accidents that we’ve had in the past,” said FWC Officer Lorenzo Voz.
According to the FWC, there were eight fatal boating accidents this past May, and more than 300 citations were given out to boaters driving under the influence.
“It’s a straight blunt force,” said Voz, “and that’s why boating accidents are more severe, actually, than automobile accidents.”
Voz advised boaters to have a designated driver if they go out on the water to drink.
A group of friends told 7News they have stayed away from boozing on the water after they lost a loved one in an alcohol-related accident, so they were happy to see the FWC out in full force.
For more information, visit: http://myfwc.com/boating/regulations .
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.