SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Coast Guard is partnering with other state and local marine law enforcement agencies to identify and stop intoxicated boaters on the Delta this weekend as part of Operation Dry Water.

Operation Dry Water is a national effort to enforce boating under the influence laws, and was founded by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in cooperation with the Coast Guard. The goal is to raise awareness of the consequences of drinking and boating and to reduce the number of alcohol-related maritime accidents and fatalities.

"Between the Coast Guard and the state and local agencies there will be more than a dozen law enforcement boats in the Delta this weekend working to stop drunk boating," said Chief Petty Officer Rob Goley, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Rio Vista.

"We will be looking for erratic operations and people who are drinking and boating," said Goley.

Boaters charged with a BUI in the state of California are subject to state DUI penalties and federal penalties, and may be fined or arrested.

Alcohol continues to be a major contributing factor in recreational boating accidents. According to the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, 21% of all boating fatalities in 2007, involved alcohol use. The Coast Guard would like to remind boaters to use alcohol responsibly, designate a driver who will not drink alcoholic beverages, and to notify the Coast Guard over VHF-FM Channel 16 if they witness or suspect boaters operating under the influence.

"We want to keep the Delta safe for everyone," said Goley.

To find out more about Operation Dry Water, please visit  www.operationdrywater.org and http://www.uscgboating.org.

You can also follow Operation Dry Water on Twitter at http://twitter.com/opdrywater and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Dry-Water/93051813096?ref=ts

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