10 arrests made in Operation Dry Water

Indiana (WLFI) - During a campaign in June, called Operation Dry Water, Indiana Conservation officers made 10 arrests for boating while intoxicated (BWI).

This three-day campaign was designed to bring awareness to the potential dangers of mixing alcohol and boating.

The 10 arrests during Operation Dry Water from June 22-24 were an increase from six BWI arrests during the same period in 2011, according to Maj. Michael Portteus, Indiana’s boating law administrator for the DNR.

142 boat operators have been charged with boating while intoxicated so far in 2012. Indiana Conservation officers recorded 178 arrests for BWI’s in 2011 and 138 BWI arrests in 2010.

“The number of intoxicated boater complaints by our citizens demonstrates an increased public awareness that our safe boaters are concerned about their safety being compromised,” said Lt. Bill Browne, public relations officer for the DNR Division of Law Enforcement.

Operation Dry Water is part of a national campaign and has increased public awareness of boating while intoxicated. Officers across Indiana are reporting instances of boats using designated drivers.

“Operation Dry Water is about lives being saved and people boating safely,” Said Cpl. Bill Beville, Indiana’s 2010 Boating Officer of the Year.

According to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indiana has about 217,000 registered boats.

Although BWI arrests have increased, Indiana boating fatalities have decreased.

According to Indiana Conservation officer reports, there was one fatality in 2012 as a result of a boat accident compared to 11 in 2011 and nine in 2010.