PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is scheduled to participate in Operation Dry Water Friday to Sunday, which is a national enforcement effort coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators designed to highlight the dangers of operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Coast Guard, in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, is coordinating this nationwide event to increase educational outreach and boating safety patrols in all 50 states and six U.S. territories.

Alcohol is a leading cause in recreational boating related accidents and was determined to be a contributing factor in 17 percent of all recreational boating deaths in 2012, according to the Coast Guard’s 2012 recreational boating statistics.

The objective of Operation Dry Water is to increase BUI enforcement and testing of boat operators for alcohol or drug use. Sector Hampton Roads personnel and many members of the law enforcement community are participating in these patrols in support of the operation.

Sector Hampton Roads’ personnel are not discouraging members of the boating public from getting underway during this operation, but is reinforcing the importance of doing so safely.

More information on Operation Dry Water can be found at http://www.operationdrywater.org/.