Col. Stephen Clark, Secretary Madison Sheahan and Lt. Col. Eddie Skena with the NASBLA Southern Region Law Enforcement Award
Major Clay Marques, the boating law administrator for Louisiana
The National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) presented the Southern Region Law Enforcement Award to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division on Sept. 19.
The LDWF Enforcement Division received the award for their efforts during the 2024 Operation Dry Water Weekend from July 4-6 when they arrested 25 boaters statewide for driving or operating a vessel while impaired (DWI). LDWF also administered a public awareness campaign featuring press releases, interviews, and social media outreach to emphasize the dangers of boating under the influence.
NASBLA’s Operation Dry Water Weekend is a national safe boating campaign that Louisiana participates in by emphasizing patrols for impaired boat operators during the weekend.
Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver's license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case. Also, each offense of operating a vehicle or vessel while intoxicated counts toward the total number of DWI crimes whether they happened on the water or road.
First offense DWI carries a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
More information is available at www.operationdrywater.org.