VERO BEACH — The U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce is taking part in Operation Dry Water, a nationwide campaign aimed at keeping boaters safe and sober during the busy Fourth of July holiday period.
The enforcement and awareness effort runs July 3 through 5, 2026. It focuses on the dangers of alcohol- and drug-impaired boating and encourages responsible choices from everyone on board, not just the person operating the vessel.
Alcohol remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics. It impairs judgment, balance, vision and reaction time — all critical skills on the water.
“Boating safety depends on everyone making responsible choices,” said Chief Warrant Officer Zachary Gray, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce. “Operation Dry Water helps boaters understand that alcohol affects more than just the person at the helm. Impairment anywhere on a boat can lead to dangerous situations, and staying sober helps protect everyone on the water.”
The campaign also warns that impairment by passengers creates real hazards. Slowed reactions, poor balance and distraction raise the risk of falls overboard, ejections and other serious injuries — even when the operator has not been drinking.
Operation Dry Water runs year-round but steps up its visibility around major holidays like the Fourth of July. The program is coordinated nationally by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. Its mission is to reduce impaired boating incidents through education and a stronger deterrent presence on the water.
Boaters can find educational resources and more information about the campaign at operationdrywater.org.
