Tennessee waterways saw a safe holiday weekend with zero boating-related fatalities reported during the annual Operation Dry Water (ODW) July 4th enforcement initiative, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

While no deaths occurred on the water during the holiday, officers remained active across the state to enforce safety standards and curb dangerous behavior:

• Accidents & Injuries: TWRA recorded 11 non-fatal injury incidents statewide.

• BUI Arrests: Officers made 16 arrests for Boating Under the Influence (BUI).

• Citations & Warnings: Numerous citations were issued, primarily targeting registration violations, negligent operation, and missing safety equipment.

• Other Incidents: TWRA officers assisted the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office in recovering a drowning victim in an incident handled by local authorities.

The safe holiday weekend keeps Tennessee’s overall boating safety record moving in a positive direction. So far this year, the state has recorded 10 boating-related fatalities, down from 13 during the same timeframe last year.

Operation Dry Water is a nationwide awareness and enforcement campaign aimed at reducing alcohol- and drug-related incidents during the peak July 4th boating period.

As the summer continues toward Labor Day weekend, TWRA officials urge all boaters to remain vigilant, operate vessels responsibly, and always wear a personal flotation device (PFD).