Don’t drink and boat; Sand Hollow among Utah lakes participating in law enforcement crackdown

June 27, 2018 Utah Channel 3

ST. GEORGE — With the Fourth of July approaching, there will be an increased presence of law enforcement looking out for impaired boaters.

Operation Dry Water, a campaign focusing on reducing the number of recreational boating accidents or fatalities due to drugs and alcohol, will be in effect Friday through Sunday for all Southern Utah lakes, including Sand Hollow.

Sand Hollow officials will be asking for additional rangers from parks that don’t have bodies of water and will be pulling their boat from Gunlock Reservoir to have an increased presence on the lake, said Sand Hollow park ranger Darren Tucker.

According to DrivingLaws.org, Utah law enforcement prosecutes boating under the influence the same as driving under the influence, so having a blood alcohol concentration level of .05 or more is against the law.

The heat also affects alcohol differently than being at room temperature, Tucker said.

“What you can reasonably drink at home will spike you pretty high in the heat,” he said.

According to 2017 recreational boating statistics, alcohol is the leading factor in fatal boating accidents, accounting for 19 percent of deaths. So far in 2018, Tucker said Sand Hollow has had three BUI incidents.

In order to stay safe out on the water, Tucker recommended that boaters wear life jackets, hydrate and be aware of their surroundings. Another way boaters can stay safe is by taking a boating education course, which they can take online for a fee of $34.50.

For more information on Operation Dry Water, click here.

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