Mays Landing, NJ—The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office (ACPO), alongside Mothers Against
Drunk Driving (MADD) New Jersey, the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau, and the
United States Coast Guard, will officially launch the "Know Before You Boat" initiative on Friday, July 31st, at 10:30AM at the Senator Frank S. Farley State Marina located at the Golden Nugget Casino in Atlantic City.
Running throughout August-one of New Jersey's busiest recreational boating months-the month-long public safety initiative aims to educate boaters about the severe dangers of operating watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal recreational boating incidents nationwide. Marine conditions such as sun exposure, wind, waves, engine noise, and vibration accelerate fatigue and significantly intensify the impairing effects of alcohol, slowing reaction times even after small amounts.
"Boating under the influence is not a harmless tradition or a lesser offense than driving under theinfluence," said Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds. "The consequences are just as devastating, and in recent years we have seen multiple fatal tragedies Atlantic County where individuals operating while impaired carries strict legal penalties, including heavy fines, potential imprisonment, and the loss of both boating and motor vehicle driver's licenses.”
Supported by a grant from the MGM Resorts Foundation, campaign messaging will remind boaters that the best captain is a sober one and encourage everyone to designate a sober boat operator before leaving the dock.
For more information on the initiative or MADD's victim support services, visit madd.org.
