Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports this past weekend was an active one for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit.

Friday was the start of Operation Dry Water, and the three-day-long campaign was dedicated to enforcing BWI laws and educating boaters about the dangers of operating a vessel while impaired.  During this campaign, the marine unit logged over thirty hours of patrol and although the unit did not make any BWI arrests, the Deputies made more than two dozen vessel safety inspections, issued eight summonses (for various safety and equipment violations) and issued fifteen warnings to boaters and paddlers.

During the thirty hours of patrol, the marine unit responded to twenty-four various complaints and assisted several vessels either in distress or disabled. 

The sheriff’s Marine Unit will continue its efforts in educating the boating public, and reminds the public that the unit will begin issuing summonses July 1 to paddlers who lack the required safety equipment; lights, vests, and a whistle/sound making device.

Sargent Rick Lauricella recalls, “The best response from the weekend was from a stopped operator who asked ‘there are rules out here?’  This is exactly why the sheriff’s Marine Unit spends much of its time educating boaters about safety and the rules of the waterways and we always remind boaters to remember the three C’s; Courteous, Cautious, and Common Sense when on the water.”