Officials urge safe and sober boating ahead of July 4th holiday surge

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — With the Fourth of July holiday a few days away, officials are anticipating an increase in boaters in the waterways. 

To promote safety, The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office held a public safety address Mondy morning. 

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s office joined together to encourage safe and sober boating ahead of the holiday weekend.  

Quantra Taylor with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission anticipates a busy weekend on the water.  

“We want everybody to be safe; we want everybody to have a good time while they’re out here on the water. We want the water to be enjoyable, but we want to keep the incidents level to none, if possible,” Taylor said. 

Todd Radabaugh with ‘Operation Dry Water’ spoke about their campaign, which started in 2009. Their goal is to reduce the number of drug and alcohol related incidents on the water.  

“Please boat safe, boat sober. Passengers, you’re at greater risk too if you allow yourselves to become impaired,” Radabaugh encouraged. 

Intoxicated passengers are more at risk of slipping and falling overboard. 

Also, boating while impaired in North Carolina is illegal.  

“We don’t arrest on blood alcohol level; at the end of the day, we arrest on what we see as impairment. How do you look, how are you acting, the impairing substance,” Taylor informed. 

There are other ways to stay safe while boating.  

“Make sure everybody has a life jacket for everybody on board, make sure you have your type 4 throw cushion and fire extinguisher as well. Any child under 13 must be wearing a life jacket. Not just any life jacket, a life jacket that is sized and fitted specifically for them and it must be U.S. Coast Guard approved,” Taylor shared.  

Bow riding is also strongly discouraged.  

District Attorney Jason Smith encourages people to have fun but to do so safely and lawfully.  

“I want to encourage everyone to have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July but be advised that law enforcement will be patrolling and we will be prosecuting all those that endanger our citizens,” Smith said meaningfully. 

D.A. Smith adds for those headed to the beach this weekend be sure to check the color of the beach flags before heading into the water.