Conservation Officers closely monitor boating and drinking

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It's the perfect weekend weather-wise to hit the water and go boating, but before you let your guard down completely Indiana Conservation Officers is urging you to be safe. The DNR launched a campaign called Operation Dry Water to urge boaters not to drink while they drive.

Indiana Conservation Officer Jet Quillen is always keeping the waters safe on Geist Reservoir. “It's not random, we have to have a reason to stop a boat,” says Officer Jet Quillen.

Whether it's not having registration properly shown or not having enough life preservers on board those are some of the reasons boats get pulled over, but officers are always on the lookout for those who are drinking too much while driving a boat.

“You are allowed to operate and drink, but if you are showing signs of impairment we're going to go into a boating while intoxicated investigation,” says Quillen.

According to the DNR in 2011 in Indiana 63 out of 75 boating accidents were directed related to alcohol. In 2011 officers arrested 178 people for driving a boat while intoxicated. Officers say they understand why it's done, but they want boaters to drink in moderation.

“Boating and alcohol kind of go hand and hand, people to them they're getting away from the daily grind they're going out and having a good time and have some drinks and that's fine but we just want people to be safe that are doing it,” says Quillen.

In Indiana there is no law against open containers on boats, but officers say the heat mixed with alcohol could mean a disaster.

“It dehydrates you, the heat will accelerates the effects of alcohol and it impairs your judgment it impairs your vision all that is what you need to keep in mind when consuming alcohol,” says Officer Quillen.

Officer Quillen says Geist Reservoir has 2 officers patrolling the waters at all times, but during busy times like the 4th of July there are as many as 4 officers on the water.

Conservation Officers will continue Operation Dry Water through Sunday.