Results of BWI Checkpoint Operation at Lake of The Ozarks Released

Captain Michael A. Turner, commanding officer of Troop F, Jefferson City, has announced the results of a BWI sobriety checkpoint operation conducted on Lake of the Ozarks on Saturday, June 25, 2016.

The checkpoint occurred during the Operation Dry Water campaign. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign in which marine law enforcement officers from across the country coordinate special patrols during the last weekend in June to keep our waterways safe from boaters operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The checkpoint operation was held from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., simultaneously at the 14 mile mark of the Big Niangua, and 47-mile mark of the main channel. A third checkpoint location was held from 6:30 pm until 8 p.m., at the 26-mile mark of the main channel.

A total of 96 vessels were contacted during the operation. Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol made the following enforcement contacts:

2 -- Boating While Intoxicated Arrests At The 14-Mile Mark, Big Niangua Arm
1 -- Boating While Intoxicated Arrest At The 47-Mile Mark, Osage Arm
3 -- Boating While Intoxicated Arrests At The 26-Mile Mark, Osage Arm
22 -- Warnings

“The purpose of the heightened enforcement component of the Operation Dry Water campaign is to deter boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When boat captains make the conscious decision to boat impaired they are endangering not only themselves, but every other boater on the water. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will do all we can to insure that families can spend time on, and around the water in a safe environment”, sated Captain Turner.

Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!