The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be participating in Operation Dry Water this upcoming July 4th weekend. Operation Dry Water is a weekend of education and enforcement about the dangers of impaired boating throughout the state. One of the many lakes that will be an area of focus is Percy Priest Lake that spans from Smyrna to Nashville. The TWRA will be on heightened alert for those who are boating under the influence (BUI).

Over the course of the July 4th holiday, law enforcement officers will also be working to increase public awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, for both operators and passengers. Boaters will notice an overall increase in officer patrols on the water. The combined efforts of the participating law enforcement agencies will result in the removal of impaired operators from our state’s waterways, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for boaters.

2021 Total Numbers: In Rutherford County, there were 6 boating-related incidents in 2021. Of that number, 3 resulted in serious injuries. Across the state, a total of 72-BUI arrests were made throughout the Volunteer State in 2021. 1,064 Citations were written to boaters for various reasons in 2021.

During Operation Dry Water in 2021, there were 21 boating under the influence (BUI) arrests made statewide. Thirteen of the BUI arrests were made in Middle Tennessee.

Operating a boat with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 percent or higher is illegal in Tennessee, the same as operating a motor vehicle. Penalties may include fines, jail-time, your boat being impounded and the loss of boat operation privileges. Alcohol use leads as the contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. Sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.

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