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Jun
20
Written by:
news editor
6/20/2011 1:00 AM
Intense summer heat takes its toll on the human body and may lead to dehydration for those who are active in outdoors recreation.
COLUMBUS, OH – Intense summer heat takes its toll on the human body and may lead to dehydration for those who are active in outdoors recreation. A common safety tip to help avoid dehydration is to consume plenty of nonalcoholic fluids such as water and sports energy drinks, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Watercraft.
This weekend, June 24-26, state watercraft officers are participating in a nationwide crackdown to remove boaters from the waterways who may be impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of Operation Dry Water. This is the third year of the special nationwide marine enforcement effort initiated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
Boaters and others can beat the heat simply by avoiding alcohol and instead consuming water or other nonalcoholic beverages that will help enhance waterway safety, according to the Division of Watercraft. It’s also important to note that local and state laws restrict the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in parks and on most waterways.
In 2010, Ohio Division of Watercraft officers contacted 3,810 boaters and made 11 arrests for boating while intoxicated during the Operation Dry Water enforcement weekend. A total of 198 other alcohol and boating-related violations were issued in addition to 754 warnings. No boating-related fatalities were recorded during last year’s Operation Dry Water weekend in Ohio (June 25-27, 2010).
Alcohol is involved in about one of every three boating-related accidents on Ohio waterways. While state watercraft officers and local marine patrols are always on the lookout for impaired boat operators, Operation Dry Water (www.operationdrywater.org) is an organized national effort that focuses greater awareness of the need for boaters to boat smart, boat sober and make a commitment to staying safe on the water.
As with the 2009 and 2010 Operation Dry Water campaigns, watercraft officers and local marine patrol units will focus much of their attention during this year’s Operation Dry Water on inland waterways that attract the largest numbers of recreational boaters. Shared multi-jurisdictional waterways enforcement efforts also will occur on the Ohio River and Lake Erie.
The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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For more information, contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft
614. 265. 6695
Jason Fallon, ODNR Office of Communications
614. 265. 6842
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