Independence Day weekend is one of the busiest boating holidays especially in Florida.
That's why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is working with local law enforcement agencies and the Coast Guard to stop anyone "boating under the influence" right in their tracks.
It's all part of an initiative called Operation Dry Water.
FWC said this holiday weekend is typically the most crowded time of the year out on the water and July is when the most boating crashes usually happen.
Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole spoke to some boaters and FWC about what they’re doing to keep you safe.
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"The boss has the boat club, so we get to come out here with him whenever we're in town,” Steven Pietrasiuk said.
Pietrasiuk and his two friends from work are taking in the sights and sounds on the St. Johns River this holiday weekend.
“This is my first time being here. I'm having a good time with my work family,” Aaron Fears said. He told Cole he was visiting from Arkansas.
Pietrasiuk told Cole they’re planning to head to the beach tomorrow, so they figured they’d get on the boat today.
"It's always really popular. Crowds are really big,” Pietrasiuk said.
That's why FWC will be working to make sure all of our waterways are safe this weekend.
There are going to be THOUSANDS of out on the water for Independence Day Weekend. #NEXT on @ActionNewsJax at 6: We’ll tell you what FWC and local agencies are doing to keep you safe: pic.twitter.com/3wJ8yw2DGk
— Courtney Cole (@CourtneyANJax) July 3, 2019
Operation Dry Water was created to remove any boaters who are on the water under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Officer Lance Haskins, the spokesman for the North Central Region of FWC, says last year during the July 4 holiday weekend, there were just under 400 "vessel" stops.
"They're going to be various things (boaters get pulled over for), between boating safety to resource-oriented to manatee slow-speed zones,” Officer Haskins said.
But with every single stop, officers are looking to see if there are any signs of impairment.
"For 2018 stats, it's just under 20% of the accident victims could be contributed directly to alcohol or drug activity,” Haskins told Cole.
If you get pulled over on your boat and have a blood alcohol content level of .08 or above, Haskins said you will be arrested and will face a second-degree misdemeanor charge.
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