KINGMAN, Ariz. — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will participate in a multi-agency enforcement patrol this weekend, pursuing those who operate their vessels under the influence (OUI) of alcohol
or drugs on the Colorado River.

AZGFD will be on the lookout for watercraft operators violating the law and who are found to be above Arizona’s OUI legal limit of a .08 blood-alcohol content.

Throughout the weekend, boaters may be required to pass through a checkpoint and be subject to a systematic safety inspection. Operators will be checked for any sign of impairment from alcohol or drugs and to ensure the required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and working fire extinguishers, are aboard.

“A large number of boating accidents involve alcohol,” said Brandon Carley, law enforcement supervisor for the department’s regional office in Kingman. “Removing impaired boaters from the waterways is a critical element in creating a safe, enjoyable, recreational environment for the public.”

Boater operators should review all laws and regulations prior to launching. Boaters and watercraft users should make sure to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket for every individual onboard, and that everyone 12 and younger is wearing a life jacket.

Boats also must have a working fire extinguisher and a throwable personal floatation device (PFD) onboard.

For more information on boating in Arizona, or to sign up for a free safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.