2 minute read
Greg Fonzeno
Operation Dry Water in Full Force
BY GREG FONZENO
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Summer means holidays and vacations, and this year, it means conquering cabin fever caused by COVID-19 restrictions. As waterways get more crowded, the likelihood of meeting a boater under the influence of alcohol increases.
Each July, the local Lake Allatoona U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary joins the Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies across the country, in the nationally coordinated effort to educate boaters about the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The mission, Operation Dry Water (ODW), is meant to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related accidents and fatalities on the water.
Alcohol use continues to be the top contributing factor in recreational boater deaths, and a leading contributor in boating accidents. There were 30 boating under the influence citations in Acworth in 2020. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is reaching out to our community to encourage those on the water to engage in safe boating practices, which includes keeping alcohol off boats for both operators and passengers.
Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time on the water much faster than it does on land, due to added stress factors such as the sun, heat, wind, noise and the vibration of the boat. The effect of alcohol on the water is three times faster than on land because of those stressors.
To have a great summer on the water, boaters must remain sober and alert while underway. The goal is to enjoy the activity and get home safe. Another way to stay safe is to exercise other safe boating practices, such as enrolling in a boater education course and always wearing a life jacket.
The ODW recreational boating safety volunteers, in collaboration with law enforcement in every state and territory, will be at marinas and on the water educating boaters about safe boating practices, and removing impaired operators from our waterways. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary hopes boaters enjoy this boating season, and stay safe by not drinking alcohol while on the water, or operating a boat after consuming alcohol.
Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and vice commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake.
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