Law enforcement will be on the lookout across the Chattanooga region over the Fourth of July holiday for impaired operators, unsafe practices and life jacket use with a boost from Operation Dry Water.
The nationwide boating safety campaign launched more than a decade ago, urging people to avoid alcohol when at the helm.
Alcohol remains the leading contributing factor in fatal recreational boating incidents, according to campaign officials and state wildlife officers. Nationally, in 2024, officers made 584 arrests for boating under the influence. According to the state’s wildlife agency, there were more than 130 BUI arrests made in Tennessee in 2024.
Tennessee stiffened its drunk boating penalties a couple of years ago.