This weekend is the busiest and most dangerous time of the boating season, according to the state.

An event at Susquehanna State Park on Wednesday kicked off the Independence Day impaired-driver mobilization, which increases patrols and sobriety checks on land and water.

The event also highlighted “Operation Dry Water” enforcement weekend.

Waterways Conservation Officer Hunter Shoemaker does a spot check of a fisherman’s license along the Susquehanna River Wednesday June 28, 2023. During the 4th of July weekend there will be heightened enforcement on the river because it’s the most dangerous time because of increased boat traffic and the possibility of people boating under the influence of alcohol. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Operation Dry Water is a campaign to increase awareness of boating under the influence (BUI).

“In Pennsylvania, just like driving a motor vehicle, a person operating a boat is over the legal limit if they have a BAC of .08 or higher,” said Hunter Shoemaker, the region’s state waterway conservation officer.

“The number one cause of boating fatalities in the state is alcohol” and not wearing a life jacket, Shoemaker added.

Under state law, boat operators can be arrested for BUI while operating any watercraft if they are incapable of safe operation regardless of their blood alcohol concentration.

“Being under the influence drastically increases your chances of a fatality,” Shoemaker said.

Waterways Conservation Officer Hunter Shoemaker patrols along the Susquehanna River Wednesday June 28, 2023. During the 4th of July weekend there will be heightened enforcement on the river because it’s the most dangerous time because of increased boat traffic and the possibility of people boating under the influence of alcohol. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Deborah Erdman, RN and outreach/injury prevention coordinator at Geisinger Health System,

echoes Shoemaker’s sentiments.

“We would like the drivers of the boat not to be drinking and keep everybody safe,” she said. “Making sure that all people on board are wearing their PFDs or their life jackets.”

Operation Dry Water will see an increase in Waterway Conservation officers’ boating enforcement, searching for and deterring boating under the influence.

“You can get just as injured on a boat as you can in a car, especially when you are on the river. The Fourth of July, ‘Set the Night to Music,’ the river is going to be packed full of people…so it is definitely something to be mindful about,” Lycoming Regional Police Chief Nathan DeRemer said.

Waterways Conservation Officer Hunter Shoemaker puts in his boat to do a patrol along the Susquehanna River Wednesday June 28, 2023. During the 4th of July weekend there will be heightened enforcement on the river because it’s the most dangerous time because of increased boat traffic and the possibility of people boating under the influence of alcohol. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The waterways are not the only places to see heightened enforcement this weekend. Area roadways will also see a step up in patrols.

Getting off a boat and into a vehicle can “turn a BUI into a DUI,” Shoemaker said.

The Lycoming Regional Police Department is the coordinating agency for state DUI efforts in the region and police plan to have one checkpoint and 40 DUI roving patrols, added DeRemer.

It is a coordinated effort between all the police agencies, the state Fish and Boat Commission, the state Game Commission and the county sheriff’s office, DeRemer said.

There were 306 alcohol related crashes resulting in 17 fatalities and 124 drug related crashes resulting in nine fatalities state-wide this time last year, according to PennDOT.

Waterways Conservation Officer Hunter Shoemaker does a patrol along the Susquehanna River Wednesday June 28, 2023. During the 4th of July weekend there will be heightened enforcement on the river because it’s the most dangerous time because of increased boat traffic and the possibility of people boating under the influence of alcohol. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We certainly want everyone to have a great time through the holidays, but we want everyone to be safe,” said Charles Kiessling, Lycoming County coroner.

“Everyone has a right to celebrate in their own way, but no one has the right to place other people in danger of death or personal injury. So if you plan to celebrate this weekend, and alcohol or other substances are involved that impair your ability to think clearly please include a plan to do so safely,” said Shawn Noonan, of the state DUI Association.