VERO BEACH — The U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce is taking part in Operation Dry Water, a nationwide campaign aimed at keeping boaters safe and sober during the busy Fourth of July holiday period.
The enforcement and awareness effort runs July 3 through 5, 2026. It focuses on the dangers of alcohol- and drug-impaired boating and encourages responsible choices from everyone on board, not just the person operating the vessel.
Alcohol remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics. It impairs judgment, balance, vision and reaction time — all critical skills on the water…