Alaska State Troopers Plan to Crack Down on Drunken Boating

Expect to see an increased law enforcement presence as Alaska State Troopers participate in a national program targeting boating under the influence.

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By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Story Created: Jun 24, 2011 at 9:41 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 24, 2011 at 9:41 AM AKDT

FAIRBANKS — Plan on floating the Chena River this weekend? Expect to see an increased law enforcement presence as Alaska State Troopers participate in a national program targeting boating under the influence.


A year ago, more than 1,000 boaters were contacted statewide by 32 troopers patrolling state waters as part of Operation Dry Water. 

The nationwide Dry Water campaign has taken place since 2009. It targets boaters under the influence of drugs and alcohol, because drugs or alcohol play a role in 16 percent of recreational boating deaths, according to the Coast Guard and the nonprofit National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, which coordinate the program.

But in Alaska last year, only one person was arrested for operating a boat under the influence during the weekend. Many more stops were made related to laws governing life jackets, sport fishing and boat licenses, which led to 49 citations. Some 37 warnings were issued last year.

Troopers are planning similar levels of enforcement this year, said Lt. Steve Hall, campaign coordinator with the troopers.

Under boating safety laws, there must be at least one life vest on board a boat for every person while it is under way. Everyone under 13 years old must be wearing their life jacket unless inside an enclosed cabin.

The law governing boating under the influence is the same as the law for driving under the influence, with one key difference: It governs non-motorized vessels, including kayaks and canoes. 

Whether it extends to rafts or inner tubes depends on the technical definition of the word “watercraft” in state law and is somewhat in the hands of individual troopers, said Capt. Burke Waldron with the wildlife troopers.

“There is some discretion used there in terms of the design of the vessel and how it’s being used,” he said. “Inner tubes are not typically seen as vessels.” But, “there could be a situation where someone on a $30 Wal-Mart raft could potentially be charged with a (boating under the influence)” he said.

Waldron recalled only a few DUI arrests involving non-motorized boats. One was a kayaker in Southeast. Another involved a drift boater on the Kenai Peninsula. 

Troopers have already conducted one sweep in the Fairbanks area that led to numerous citations during Memorial Day weekend. The patrol yielded 65 boat safety violations, two boat registration violations and 11 sport fishing violations. Troopers also responded to a drowning in an Interior lake that weekend.

The timing of patrols is not designed to maximize citation revenue, trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said. In fact, money from citations goes to the state’s general fund, not to the Department of Public Safety, which oversees the troopers.

“We are not filling quotas. We are not trying to line the department’s pockets,” she said. “We are doing our job. We are trying to keep you from going home in a body bag.”

Contact staff writer Sam Friedman at 459-7545.

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Anonymouse said on Friday, Jun 24 at 7:58 PM

Whatever happened to the Police officers Association money drives? Remember those? All that time I thought they were barely scraping by. Ever since the ADN published their annual wages, they seemed to have stopped. I miss the raffles.

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Anymoose said on Friday, Jun 24 at 7:55 PM

Anonymous you must be a criminal. How can you say those things about our men in blue. They carry dead bodies through mud and filth and bullets every day to make sure you live a comfortible life. It makes my lip quiver everytime I remember those bag pipes playing Amazing grace at the memorial. Ive got to go. Cant see the keyboard anymore.

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Damage control said on Friday, Jun 24 at 7:48 PM

I believe the troopers are serious about enforcing DUI laws (giggle)

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Wes said on Friday, Jun 24 at 12:00 PM

I think the state has gone way too for with the registration of skiffs--there is no real purpose to be gained other than monetary. First--alcohol is a very nasty and deadly drug; when will we stop this stupid separation of terms? Countless less than bright individuals drink and boat--often with children on board. That is worth a set of cuffs and a trip to jail; it's also worth the loss of the boat. Some part of the message isn't getting across.

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drunken drift fisherman said on Friday, Jun 24 at 10:47 AM

how can you get a dui in a float tube? wtf..so is it illegal to have a beer while im floating? what about marijauana..i operate motor vehicles everyday under teh influence of marijauana..i also have a perfect driving record...go figure..it obviously impaires my driving..is a beer gonna impaire my rowing ? what a waste of tax payer money.... cost $100,000 in labor for 32 citations... the state of alaska is a joke..seriously...i guess when you only have 700,000 peopel to choose from your bound to get a few idiots

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Carlos said on Friday, Jun 24 at 10:15 AM

This is incredible. I can't help but wonder if our "Praetorian Guard" will find it in their hearts to allow us a holiday unmolested?

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Anonymous said on Friday, Jun 24 at 10:11 AM

Lets see, last year only 1 drunk boating and 32 troopers. TOO MUCH! The troopers are not filling quotas? BULL, they are paid by the state. We have troopers molesting women, illegals acting as cops for 6 YEARS! Where is the oversight, screening, background check? I will look out for my self, you can quit worry about if I am in a body bag. I am not stupid. This type of thing is why the troopers have Harleys, boats, ATV's and cost us way more than needed. They think they are demi gods. Why can't they be a part of the community and work with the people instead of above the people. The mounties do and the cops here need to. Why does it "impair" them doing their job if I take pictures or video of them? As for them using their discretion on what is a watercraft, I for one don't want ANYONE intrepreting the law, they are to uphold the existing law. If they don't know it, then the legislature can make the decision what is a "watercraft."

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