GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Operation Dry Water will be kicking off this week, just in time for the 4th of July holiday.
Operation Dry Water is a national campaign to bring awareness and enforcement to water ways to help prevent and stop boaters from boating under the influence.
As part of the campaign, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) increases the amount of patrol on the water, as more people venture to various lakes and rivers to celebrate the holiday.
This year, officials will be on the look out for things like people operating boats under the influence or practicing unsafe measures on the water.
Corporal Jill Miller said they also hope to see more people using life jackets.
She said that from 2022 to 2023, the number of drowning victims who were not wearing life jackets increased from 85% to 87%.
Miller said this is alarming because of how much a life jacket can help you when an accident happens.
She said she and others understand that while you are on the water, you may either feel safe or you may believe that your swimming experience makes you ready if you fall into the water.
But because of how difficult it can be to put on a life jacket when you are in danger, she said you are better off having it on already.
“You hear people saying they're too hot, they're uncomfortable, you know they didn't think that an accident would happen to them. Getting a life jacket on when you're panicked or injured, possibly unconscious, is nearly impossible. So, if you have your life jacket on before that accident happens, or you know anything, even if you fall into the water and you're not prepared, that's ultimately what's going to save a life,” said Miller.
The good news is that boating fatalities have decreased.
Operation Dry Water will last from July 4th to the 6th.
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