DAYTON (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- If you're going out on the water this weekend, you'll see extra patrols. It's part of national effort called Operation Dry Water to raise awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence.
Alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, according to a recent report from the U.S. Coast Guard. It found there were 658 boating deaths in 2017. While that number is down from the year before, it was the second highest number on record in the last five years.
NEWS CENTER Maine tagged along with Eric Blanchard of the Maine Warden Service as he patrolled part of the Saco River near Dayton, Friday. On Facebook live, he answered questions about water safety, life jackets and what it was like to be on "North Woods Law."
Blanchard has worked as a game warden for the last 19 years. Before that, he was a police officer out of state. He says although OUI laws are similar for the road and water, on a boat there's an added challenge.
"When you arrest them you immediately put them in the cruiser they are safe," he explained. "Out here you arrest somebody, now you're responsible to make sure they don't drown."
The Operation Dry Water heightened enforcement weekend is June 29 - July 1.