Clarksville Police Department launches awareness campaign to reach out to boaters
Clarksville, TN – The Clarksville Police Department will be participating in Operation Dry Water as part of a nationally coordinated effort to raise awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI) and reduce the number of accidents and deaths related to alcohol use on our waterways.
Operation Dry Water weekend, June 27th-29th, is the national weekend of heightened enforcement of boating under the influence laws and recreational boater outreach.
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreation boater deaths in the United States. By participating in Operation Dry Water, Clarksville Police Department is helping to keep recreational boaters safe and working toward reducing the number of accidents and deaths on the water.
“Clarksville Police Department encourages boaters to enjoy the boating season with friends and family, and we also encourage you boat in a safe and responsible way,” says Lt. Philip Ashby. “Drinking alcohol while on a boat can have serious, even deadly, consequences, and our goal is to make sure everyone is enjoying their time on the water and staying safe.”
In Tennessee boaters whose blood alcohol content (BAC) level exceeds the state limit of .08 can be arrested for BUI and face other serious penalties including, fine of not less than $250.00 nor more than $2,500.00, and in discretion of the court shall be confined in the county jail for a period not to exceed (11) eleven months and (29) twenty-nine days.
In discretion of the court, in addition to a fine and jail sentence the court shall suspend the person’s privilege to operate any vessel on the public waters of Tennessee, for a period not to exceed one year. For second and subsequent convictions the penalties are increased.
The Clarksville Police Department supports the Operation Dry Water message, which encourages boaters to never boat under the influence and enjoy their time on the water responsibly.
Operation Dry Water is a joint program of Clarksville Police Department, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the U.S. Coast Guard and T.W.R.A.
For more information on Operation Dry Water, please visit operationdrywater.org.
