The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is ramping up its efforts to keep waterways safe this holiday weekend by participating in Operation Dry Water (ODW), a nationwide campaign targeting boating under the influence (BUI).

The heightened law enforcement presence and public awareness initiative will take place from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, a period historically marked by a surge in holiday boating activity.

Boaters across Tennessee can expect to see a significant increase in officer patrols over the three-day weekend. TWRA officers, alongside partners from the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), will be actively searching for impaired operators.

The crackdown aims to prevent tragedies like those seen during last year’s July 4th holiday, which saw one boating fatality on Center Hill Lake and resulted in 24 BUI arrests by TWRA game wardens.

TWRA officials stress that alcohol use remains the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths nationwide. Environmental stressors unique to boating—such as sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion—can severely intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and medication.

“Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol/drugs is selfish and a 100 percent preventable crime,” said TWRA Lt. Col. Matt Majors. “A boat is not a toy, and each year we lose precious lives because of the actions of boat-impaired operators.”

In Tennessee, operating a vessel with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is illegal—the exact same legal limit as driving a car. Boaters caught operating under the influence face severe consequences, including heavy fines, jail time, boat impoundment,  and loss of boat operating privileges.

The TWRA is urging all boaters to enjoy the holiday responsibly by ensuring they have a designated, sober operator behind the wheel of any boat or personal watercraft.