Great weather, good friends, time on the boat... what could go wrong?

If there's alcohol on board, a lot actually.

NEVER DRINK AND BOAT.

As part of Operation Dry Water, Maine Game Wardens and Marine Patrol Officers will have an increased presence on Maine's waterways this holiday weekend, July 2-4, 2022.

 

Operation Dry Water helps reduce the number of alcohol and drug

related incidents and fatalities and fosters a stronger, more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water. 

 

Think twice before you or a passenger drinks and boats:

• Boating under the influence (BUI) is illegal. Operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is against Maine law.
• Alcohol use is dangerous for passengers too. Intoxicated passengers can easily slip, fall overboard, or suffer other life-threatening incidents.
• Boating under the influence applies to drugs, as well as alcohol. Even some prescription medications can make operating a recreational vessel unsafe. Check with your doctor about the effects of any medications you may be taking.
• Sun, wind, noise, vibration and rocking of the boat are all "stressors" common to the boating environment. These stressors intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.

 

We hope you  have a safe and memorable 4th of July weekend. 

---

Consider your impact! Help protect our waters for the next generation. 

 

Maine waters, as well as the fish, wildlife, and recreation they support, are threatened each year by introductions of fish, plants, diseases, and other aquatic hitchhikers that compete with and displace native natural communities, 

Once an invasive aquatic species has established in a body of water, it is extremely difficult for it to be eradicated. These efforts are costly, often risky, and not always successful.

Therefore, prevention is key. It’s our duty as those who enjoy using Maine’s waters to protect them against invasive species.

 

Help keep it Maine and stop the transport and spread of invasive species!

CLEAN your gear before entering and leaving the water access site. Remove all plants, fish, animals, mud and debris from boots, gear, boat, trailer, and vehicle and throw it in the trash.  DRAIN bilge, ballast, wells and buckets away from the water before you leave the area.  DRY equipment completely before launching watercraft into another body of water.  DISPOSE of unused or unwanted bait baitfish on land or in the trash. Never release any live baitfish into a water body.