Minnesota Crackdown on Drunk Boaters

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources along with County Sheriff's offices, State Patrol and others will step up the watch for drunken boaters this weekend. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign aimed at deterring boating while under the influence of drugs and or alcohol. The campaign runs Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7.

In 2018, alcohol was a factor in half of the deadly boating accidents in Minnesota. Just like DWI, BWI carries a hefty price. If convicted of Boating While Intoxicated, expect to have your boating privileges taken away for 90 days. This penalty will be enforced between May 1 and October 31. If need be it could carry over to the next year. A 90 day jail sentence and or a $1,000 fine is also possible. The penalty will be more severe if convicted while manning a boat with an individual 16 or younger in the boat.