Woonsocket Radio News Room

INCREASED BOAT PATROLS SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

 

Part of national campaign to curb impaired boating

 

PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will join partners across the country this weekend for the annual Operation Dry Water campaign – a national crackdown on impaired boating.  DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement will be conducting increased patrols from Friday – Sunday and monitoring for boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

“It is our job as law enforcement officers to identify and remove drunk or impaired boaters from the water – so that everyone can continue to have an enjoyable and safe boating experience,” said Lieutenant Steven Criscione, boating safety coordinator for DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement.  “The effects of impairment on the water can be severe. Boaters tend to have far less experience and confidence operating a boat versus an automobile, and stressors common to boating – sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion – can intensify the effects of drugs and alcohol.”

 

The U.S. Coast Guard finds that alcohol use is the leading cause of recreational boating deaths – with 15 percent of all recreational boating fatalities nationwide attributed to alcohol use. According to Rhode Island law, the limits (.08) and penalties are the same for driving and boating under the influence.  Testing standards are also consistent.   

 

"Operating a boat under the influence has impacts both on the water and off,” continued Criscione.  “Many boaters trailer their boats. An intoxicated boater, if undetected, could eventually get behind the wheel of a car and onto our highways – putting countless people at risk. Regardless of whether you personally boat or not, we all have the potential to be impacted by an impaired boater.”

 

Partners in Operation Dry Water include DEM, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, U.S. Coast Guard, and many others. As part of the 2016 campaign, DEM boarded 61 vessels; issued 36 warnings and citations for boating-related equipment, operation, and other violations; and made 3 arrests.

 

For more information on Rhode Island boating laws, visit www.dem.ri.gov.  Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for timely updates.

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President Trump is in Japan as part of his Asia diplomacy tour. He met earlier with Emperor Naruhito at Tokyo's Imperial Palace. Later tonight, he will be meeting with the country's new prime minister as he continues to focus on trade, investment and defense spending.        The Senate is returning today as the government shutdown is in its 27th day. However, Senators aren't currently scheduled to vote on a measure to reopen the government after it failed to be passed for a 12th time last week. This coming weekend, November 1st, government funding for food assistance will run out for about 42 million people.        The man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk is set to appear in court today in Utah. The judge is expected to make a pretrial ruling on what Tyler Robinson can wear in court. Robinson's lawyers want him be allowed to wear regular clothes without shackles during any in-person hearing. Prosecutors say that he should be restrained due to security concerns, or he should appear virtually.        French police have arrested two men in connection with the jewel heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Officials say one of the men was arrested on Saturday evening while trying to leave the country. The suspects are believed to have made off with 100-million dollars worth of jewels from the museum last weekend.        President Trump isn't ruling out the possibility of running for a third term in 2028, but he did dismiss the idea of running as a candidate for the vice presidency. The president said he "would love to do it," when asked about another bid for president, but also redirected attention to who he referred to as "very good people" in the Republican party. However, when asked about appearing on the 2028 Republican ticket as vice president, Trump told reporters he "would rule that out because it's too cute" and he thinks the people wouldn't like it.        Former star New York Jets center Nick Mangold, who played eleven seasons with the Jets, died Saturday night of complications from kidney disease. He shared his fight publicly in a social media post earlier this month, revealing at the time that he needed a kidney transplant. Mangold was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, the same year he was diagnosed with the genetic defect that led to his chronic kidney disease.       

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