The Port of San Diego Diego Harbor Police Department is joining a nationwide effort to prevent boating under the influence, or BUI, during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.
The national campaign — Operation Dry Water — began in 2009 and is a year-round BUI awareness and enforcement effort. This year, July 4th to July 6th is a heightened enforcement weekend, according to the operation’s website.
In San Diego, the enforcement campaign will include the deployment of two additional patrol vessels to the department’s existing fleet, according to Harbor Police Lieutenant Victor Banuelos, as well as sobriety tests and vessel safety checks.
Forty-two boating accidents occurred in 2024, a marked increase from the 16 accidents in 2023. Although no accidents occurred on July 4th of last year, boating as well as boating accidents typically spike in the summer months, Banuelos said.
This year, San Diego’s “Big Bay Boom” July 4th Fireworks Show is expected to bring more than 300,000 people to the harbor.
A statement shared by the department also stated that alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents across the country, noting that alcohol can impair a boater’s judgement and balance while also increasing fatigue and susceptibility to cold water immersion.
In a video shared on Instagram, the San Diego Harbor Police said that there is a zero-tolerance policy for those boating under the influence and reminded boaters to ensure that all required safety equipment, including navigational lights and personal floatation devices, are on board.
“We would love for this to be an annual (campaign),” Banuelos said. “Anything that supports our community and saves lives we would love to be a part of.”
