BALTIMORE, MD—Boating accidents are on the rise, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police will be stepping up patrols to help reduce boating under the influence incidents.

This holiday weekend marks the Fourth of July, and NRP expects more boaters in local lakes, ponds, and rivers. With the increase in boaters, NRP is also increasing its efforts to educate boaters about the dangers of boating while under the influence.

Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, according to NRP. More than 90 percent of Maryland’s boating accident victims in the past five years were not wearing a life jacket. NRP is urging boaters to stay sober while operating a vessel and to wear a life jacket at all times.

“The Fourth of July weekend is the busiest boating holiday of the year,” said Natural Resources Police Col. Orlando Lilly. “NRP’s presence on the water will be significant, with saturation patrols spanning nearly every county in the state. It’s our goal to ensure the safety of everyone on the water, and our involvement in Operation Dry Water gives us opportunities to educate boaters on the dangers of drinking and operating, as well as removing unsafe and impaired operators from our waterways when necessary.”

NRP will be conducting “Operation Dry Water,” which includes heightened awareness and enforcement from July 4-6. The initiative is a collaboration with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and is aimed at promoting safe boating practices and reducing boating accidents.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.