GREEN BAY, Wis. — Boaters should expect patrols to be out in full force this holiday weekend, with the goal of avoiding potential tragedy on the water.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) demonstrated a seated field sobriety test on Wednesday.

Wisconsin DNR Deputy Chief Conservation Warden Matt O’Brien said there is zero tolerance in the state for boating while impaired.

“All of our Wisconsin law enforcement officers that work the waterways are provided that training, because it’s a little bit more difficult when you’re in a boat to be able to administer field sobriety tests,” said O’Brien.


What You Need To Know

  • Boaters should expect patrols to be out in full force this holiday weekend, with the goal of avoiding potential tragedy on the water

  • There were 14 boating-related fatalities in 2024 in Wisconsin, according to the DNR; in 10 of those deaths, the victim was not wearing a life jacket. The DNR said there have been five boating-related deaths in the state in 2025 so far

  • Wisconsin DNR Deputy Chief Conservation Warden Matt O’Brien said there is zero tolerance in the state for boating while impaired. Officials said alcohol continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities

  • Officials also stressed the importance of wearing properly fitting personal floatation devices

He’d like to see everyone safely enjoy Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers this holiday weekend.

“It’s a big responsibility whether you take a canoe out with one other occupant or you have a pontoon boat with 16 folks in it. The operator of that vessel has a big job to do. They got to get everybody home safe,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien joined host Taylor Kirshee of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and local law enforcement officials at the 2025 Operation Dry Water (ODW) national kickoff event in Green Bay Wednesday. 

“Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement initiative,” said Kirshee.

(Spectrum News 1/Jon Fuller)

July 4 to 6 marks three days of heightened enforcements for boating under the influence. 

“Law enforcement agencies from around the country, sheriff’s office, DNR, U.S. Coast Guard agencies and units, they will be out on the water in force this weekend looking out for impaired boaters. And if you are impaired and you’re on the water, they’re going to pull you over and they’re going to remove you from the water to make sure that everyone else that’s out on the water and doing so responsibly makes it home at the end of the night to their families,” said Kirshee. 

Kirshee said alcohol continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities.

“There is research that shows that it’s just as dangerous for passengers as well, regardless of the sobriety level of the operator. Falls overboard, slips, incidents, risky behavior, all those things are more likely if you are impaired while on the boat,” explained Kirshee.

(Spectrum News 1/Jon Fuller)

Officials also stressed the importance of wearing properly fitting personal floatation devices.

“A boating emergency can happen really quickly, faster than most people think. You’re not going to have time to unlock cabinets or try to figure out, ‘Do you have the right number of lifejackets?’ At that point, it’s the action stage, and your preparation goes a long way,” said O’Brien.

There were 14 boating-related fatalities in 2024 in Wisconsin, according to the DNR; in 10 of those deaths, the victim was not wearing a life jacket. The DNR said there have been five boating-related deaths in the state in 2025 so far.