Wardens on the lookout for drunk boaters this weekend

MADISON (AP) -- Wisconsin conservation wardens are on the lookout this weekend for drunken boaters.

The wardens and local boat patrols will be looking for operators whose blood alcohol levels are above the state limit of .08 percent. The effort is part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign that runs Friday through Sunday (June 22nd through 24th).

Department of Natural Resources boating law administrator Roy Zellmer says the initiative is designed to both remove intoxicated boat operators and educate about the hazards of piloting a boat while drunk.

Last year, Wisconsin's conservation warden service and local water patrols contacted 1,870 boaters during Operation Dry Water. There were 14 arrests for boating under the influence and 162 other citations issued, along with 599 boating-related warnings.

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