The Dakota County Sheriff's Office posted an update to their Facebook page last night reminding Minnesotans not to drink and boat as it's illegal and just like drinking and driving a car.

 

In the post, the Dakota County Sheriff's Office stopped a Lakeville man who was boating on Lake Marion after going too fast in a no-wake zone. When deputies conducted a stop they also happened to find 'suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia' along with the boat operator giving off 'an odor of alcohol' on his breath.

The operator of the boat was subsequently arrested for 2nd degree DWI and operating a watercraft while impaired.

According to the MnDNR 2019 boating guide, first time violators (no prior DWIs of any kind) who are convicted are subject to: up to a $1,000 fine plus surcharges, possible jail time, loss of motorboat operating privileges for 90 days during the boating season, after conviction and written notification by the DNR.

A whopping 30% of accidents on the water in Minnesota can be attributed to alcohol according to the Minnesota DNR. 

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