Coast Guard Enhances Boating Safety Measures in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Amid Record-Low Fatalities
Alongside local law enforcement, the Coast Guard will boost its presence on the water, conducting dockside safety inspections and vessel boardings to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
PUERTO RICO AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — On July 1, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard announced heightened boating safety patrols in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands over the Fourth of July weekend, aligning with Operation Dry Water, a national campaign to enforce boating under the influence (BUI) laws.
Alongside local law enforcement, the Coast Guard will boost its presence on the water, conducting dockside safety inspections and vessel boardings to ensure compliance with safety regulations. This initiative follows the release of the 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics Report, which documented the lowest number of boating fatalities in over 50 years, dropping to 556 from 564 in 2023.
Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Coast Guard Sector San Juan chief of response, underscored the importance of responsible boating, stating, “Like you should never be out on the road driving your vehicle under the influence, same goes for operating a vessel in the water.”
The 2024 campaign saw 584 impaired boat operators removed from waterways nationwide, a measure credited with averting potential tragedies. Meanwhile, the statistics report highlighted alcohol as the leading known cause of fatal boating accidents, responsible for 92 deaths, or 20% of total fatalities in 2024.
Operation Dry Water and Boating Safety Enforcement
Operation Dry Water unites boating safety advocates, volunteers, and law enforcement across the United States to promote safe boating practices. During the Fourth of July weekend, the Coast Guard and local agencies in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will intensify efforts to identify and remove impaired or dangerous operators. The Coast Guard reported that in 2024, 584 impaired boaters were removed nationwide, demonstrating the operation’s impact on reducing risks.
The Coast Guard provided key safety recommendations for boaters:
Wear Life Jackets: Ensure every passenger has a properly fitted, accessible life jacket; children under 13 must wear one at all times.
Avoid Alcohol: Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher is illegal and heightens risks due to impaired judgment and fatigue.
File a Float Plan: Share trip details—passenger count, destination, duration, and boat description—with someone onshore.
Inspect Equipment: Check navigation lights, fire extinguishers, and other gear, and consider a free Coast Guard Auxiliary safety inspection.
Carry Emergency Devices: Equip boats with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and a marine band radio for reliable distress signaling.
Approximately 80% of boating deaths occur on vessels operated by individuals without formal safety training, prompting the Coast Guard to recommend safety courses, available through the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
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