OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit will have increased patrols on county lakes over the 4th of July holiday as part of Operation Dry Water.
Operation Dry Water is a national awareness and enforcement campaign to reduce alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. Oakland County has 450 navigable lakes and 83,000 registered boats, according to officials.
“We know the Fourth of July holiday is the focal point of summer for many families,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “We want everyone to enjoy the many things that make Oakland County such an attractive destination, but we want the holiday to be a safe one. No matter whether you’re behind the wheel of a car or operating a boat, don’t drink alcohol and drive. Protect yourself, your family, and your friends.”
The marine unit has more than 45 part-time marine deputies. The unit includes the 17-member Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. The unit has 23 patrol boats, two rapid response jump boats, one hovercraft, seven ATVs, and four specialty boats for search and rescue emergencies.
The sheriff’s office contracts with 12 communities to patrol 19 lakes: Cass Lake, Cedar Island Lake, Deer Lake, Lake Orion, Lower Straits Lake, Lake Sherwood, Lakeville Lake, Maceday Lake, North Commerce Lake, Orchard Lake, Pine Lake, South Commerce Lake, Sylvan Lake, Upper Long Lake, Voorheis Lake, Walled Lake, Walnut Lake, White Lake, and Williams Lake.
Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and local, state, and federal law enforcement.
It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That includes canoes and rowboats.