The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will be joining boating agencies across the United States who are teaming up to promote safe and responsible boating.

Virginia Conservation Police Officers will be out on the water in force, looking out for boaters who are under the influence.

Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in the United States. In response, Operation Dry Water, June 29-July 1, is the weekend of heightened enforcement of boating under the influence laws. This is a part of a national coordinated effort to raise awareness about the dangers of BUI, and to reduce the number of accidents and deaths related to alcohol use on our waterways.

“Providing a safe environment for all to enjoy the public waters of Virginia is a top priority for Virginia’s Conservation Police Officers. We ask that if boaters want to include alcohol as part of their weekend that they designate an operator before they get on the water. Our...