(File Photo of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is teaming up with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators to participate in a nationwide campaign called Operation Dry Water. This initiative aims to keep boaters that are impaired off the water during the longer Independence Day weekend and throughout the rest of the summer. 

Operation Dry Water runs this weekend, July 3rd-5th.  

The partnership between the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators seeks to increase awareness of boaters to make them notice the hazards that are associated with impaired boating. 

It is unlawful to operate any watercraft, whether powered or unpowered, while impaired in Pennsylvania. The legal blood alcohol limit for boat operators is .08%. 

Penalties for boating under the influence include possible imprisonment, loss of boating privileges and fines. 

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission recommends that boaters avoid alcohol completely or designate an operator who will not consume any alcohol during a boating trip.