HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 26) – During the extended Independence Day weekend and throughout the remainder of the summer, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will be focusing on boater safety by keeping impaired boaters off the water.
From July 3-5, 2026, Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) will join other law enforcement agencies across the country to conduct Operation Dry Water, a nationally coordinated campaign which includes enhanced Boating Under the Influence (BUI) enforcement on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints.
In partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the PFBC is working to increase boater awareness of the hazards associated with impaired boating, and to decrease the number of accidents and deaths attributed to impaired boating and other unsafe boating practices.
"The waters of the Commonwealth are shared by all of us, and they should be a safe place to enjoy," said Col. Jeffrey Sabo, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement. "A boat operator's judgment and reaction time are affected by alcohol and drugs the same way as when you’re driving a car on the road. That impairment can actually be greater on a boat because of the added stressors of sun, heat, wind, and noise."
In Pennsylvania, it is unlawful to operate any watercraft, powered or unpowered, while impaired. The blood alcohol limit for boat operators is .08%, and WCOs are trained to recognize signs of impairment and conduct sobriety tests on the water. Penalties for BUI include fines, loss of boating privileges, and possible imprisonment.
The PFBC recommends that boaters avoid alcohol altogether, or at minimum, choose a designated operator who will not consume any alcohol during the duration of the boating trip.
In 2025, the PFBC arrested 27 individuals for BUI, including 9 arrests made during the Operation Dry Water campaign. Among those arrested was a boat operator with a blood alcohol content of .198%, which is approximately two-and-a-half times the legal limit. Boaters who drive to and from their boating location are also reminded to obey motor vehicle regulations pertaining to alcohol use.
Regulations
Law requires that a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket is present on the boat for each person aboard. Children ages 12 and under must always wear a life jacket when underway in any boat 20 feet or less in length and in all canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. A life jacket must be properly fitting, in good serviceable condition, and used in accordance with activities specified on its label.
In Pennsylvania, anyone born on or after January 1, 1982, is required to have a Boating Safety Education Certificate (BSEC) to operate a boat powered by a motor greater than 25 horsepower. All persons, regardless of age, are required to have a BSEC to operate a personal watercraft such as a Jet Ski™. A BSEC can be obtained by successfully completing an approved boating safety education course, available online or by registering for an in-person class held at various locations throughout the year.
Boaters are encouraged to review all current boating regulations, which can be found in the free Pennsylvania Boating Handbook on Fishandboat.com.