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Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky State Police join nationwide July Fourth boating safety campaign

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As people get ready to celebrate Independence day next week, those visiting Kentucky’s rivers and lakes will see an increased presence of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Kentucky State Police.

“Those kinds of violations, alcohol-related boating activities are going to be increased over the summertime,” Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Assistant Director David Marques said.

It’s part of the nationwide Operation Dry Water campaign, meant to stress the dangers of mixing alcohol and boating to the public. Conservation officers can make a Boating Under the Influence arrest if an incident causes property damage or injuries.

Marques says it’s also important to remember general safety tips.

“What they need to have is a life jacket on board for everybody on the boat,” Marques said. “They need to make sure that they have a good working fire extinguisher, a signaling device. And just be aware, because obviously, during the summer months, there's more people on the water.”

The campaign runs in tandem with another statewide campaign Kentucky is running through the rest of summer, called “Don’t be the U in BUI and DUI.”

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Shepherd joined WEKU in June 2023 as a staff reporter. He most recently worked for West Virginia Public Broadcasting as General Assignment Reporter. In that role, he collected interviews and captured photos in the northern region of West Virginia. Shepherd holds a master’s degree in Digital Marketing Communication and a bachelor’s in music from West Virginia University.
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