PA Fish and Boat Commission, Partners, Announce ‘Operation Dry Water’ Enhanced Boating Under the Influence Patrols, Encourage  Safe Boating Ahead of 4^th of July Weekend

Boaters across Pennsylvania were given a ‘heads up’ today about the consequences they might face if they choose to go boating while intoxicated this upcoming 4^th of July weekend.  In Philadelphia today, the Fish and Boat Commission announced “Operation Dry Water” from July 3^rd through 5^th, where officers statewide will be out in force to look for drunk boaters and other Boating Under the Influence violations.  BUI is the same as DUI in Pennsylvania, and it is illegal to operate any watercraft, powered or unpowered, with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08% or higher.  Penalties are the same, too, and BUI offenders can lose boating privileges, face thousands of dollars in fines, or be sentenced to jail time.

In 2025, the PFBC arrested 27 individuals for BUI, including 9 arrests made during the Operation Dry Water campaign. 

Additional safe boating messages include always wearing a life jacket, having a float plan to let someone know where you’ll be boating, and watching the weather forecast for summer storms.