43 Vol. 83, No. 1 | Proceedings These two agencies addressed BUIs during several rafting events that, in years past, produced more than 200 BUIs. The agencies combined forces by partnering Coast Guard Officers with Alabama State Officers on state agency boats, and the Alabama State Officers doing the same on Coast Guard boats. This effort led to a 75% reduction in BUIs. Sea Tow Foundation’s Sober Skipper Campaign The Sea Tow Foundation developed the Sober Skipper Campaign6 in 2014 as a positive, proactive campaign cen- tered on making people aware of the dangers of drinking and boating while offering a simple means of avoid- ing it by providing helpful tips and guidelines to boating sober. Modeled on the successful Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)7 campaign, the Sober Skipper Campaign, which receives Coast Guard grant funding, encourages boaters to make the smart choice prior to going boating by des- ignating a sober skipper. This helps ensure everyone on board gets home safely. While the Sober Skipper Campaign is inclusive of all boaters, its primary target audience is the high-risk boat- ing audience described in the Coast Guard 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics—men.8 The friends and family of the cam- paign’s primary target audience make up its secondary audience. Parents, siblings, partners, and friends can assert their influence over the men in their lives to help change their behav- ior. Members of this audience are often the passengers of impaired boaters and have a vested interest in their skipper’s sobriety. Enforcement Challenges No matter how great the results of ODW and year-round enforcement, there are still challenges. While standard- ized field sobriety tests (SFST) are crucial tools for detect- ing intoxicated drivers, they are not always appropriate in BUI cases. A new tool incorporates the best aspects and essential nature of the battery of SFSTs into a practical solution for BUI detection—seated SFSTs. More importantly, this new standardized sitting battery could have significant future applications beyond boating in situations where SFSTs are simply ineffective. Environmental factors, weather conditions, or other circumstances can render the SFST battery unworkable. ODW awareness and outreach increases leading up to the heightened enforcement weekend. NASBLA works strategically with state recreational boating authorities, other law enforcement agencies, boating safety organiza- tions, and the Coast Guard to develop and execute ODW while also coordinating media and public outreach on a national level. Meanwhile, recreational boating safety partners work diligently to spread the message in their areas of coverage. Law enforcement agencies participate in the outreach and awareness component of the campaign. This includes working with their local media, providing press releases, setting up press conferences and ride-a-longs, and send- ing their messaging out through print, radio, television, and social media. Through these combined media efforts, the campaign generates a wide range of news coverage and publicity increasing awareness of the dangers of BUI in addition to other boating safety issues such as boater education and life jacket wear. ODW has successfully reduced alcohol-related fatalities by 18% since its inception in 2009. Nearly 3.2 mil- lion boaters have been reached, and 7,453 impaired operators have been removed from waterways.4 ODW, now in its 16th year, contin- ues to see impressive growth and par- ticipation from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. From 2009 to 2024, law enforcement participation increased by 190%. This participation has not only deterred the number of impaired vessel operators, but it has also led to a positive increase in recreational boater out- reach. In 2024, 485 local, state, and federal agencies partici- pated in ODW in all 56 states and territories. During the 2024 Fourth of July crackdown, the agencies reported the following results: • 7,144 law enforcement officers deployed • 296,190 recreational boaters contacted • 584 BUI arrests for drugs and/or alcohol • 10,008 citations and safety warnings issued • 97,649 vessel contacts made5 ODW operates year-round through strengthened partnerships among federal, state, and local agen- cies across the country to combat impaired boating. A great example is the cooperation between Coast Guard Sector Mobile and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Working with volunteers and advocates around the country, MADD educates people on the dangers of drunk driving.
