Indiana Conservation Officers participated in a national boating while intoxicated awareness campaign from June 28-30 titled, “Operation Dry Water.” Last year’s ODW results tabulated 10 Boating While Intoxicated arrests throughout the state during the 3 day campaign.

A total of 92 Indiana Conservation Officers participated in the 2013 campaign and logged 836.5 hours of boat patrol. Officers issued 74 citations for boating violations and made 5 arrests for Boating While Intoxicated.

“The decline in the number of arrests may be attributed to increased public awareness of dangers surrounding boating while intoxicated. Certainly, our goal is to be active in the education of our citizens in a way that keeps them safe,” said Lt. Kenton Turner, Indiana Conservation Officer’s Boating Law administrator.

“We are pleased with the cooperative efforts of our officers and the Indiana boating public as they collectively work to reduce the number of boating while intoxicated issues. Maintaining active partnerships with the boating community is the key to keeping Indiana’s waters safe”, said Operations Major Terry Hyndman.

Indiana Conservation Officers and Indiana State Police worked together this summer to create a video PSA highlighting the dangers of driving while intoxicated which may be viewed here.