Tennessee, (WOKI) – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reporting a safe Independence Day holiday weekend on the state’s waterways, with no boating-related fatalities recorded during the annual Operation Dry Water enforcement campaign.
TWRA’s Boating and Law Enforcement Division compiled incident reports from across Tennessee following the July Fourth holiday weekend, one of the busiest boating periods of the year.
According to the agency, there were 11 boating injury incidents statewide during the holiday period. Wildlife officers also made 16 alcohol-related boating under the influence (BUI) arrests as part of Operation Dry Water, a national campaign focused on increasing enforcement and public awareness regarding impaired boating.
In addition to enforcement activities, TWRA personnel assisted with recovery efforts involving a drowning victim in Stewart County. The incident was handled by the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office and was not classified as a boating-related fatality by TWRA.
Officers issued numerous citations and warnings over the holiday weekend. The most common violations involved vessel registration issues, negligent vessel operation, and other boating safety concerns.
The agency noted that Tennessee has recorded 10 boating-related fatalities so far in 2026, compared with 13 fatalities during the same period in 2025, reflecting an overall decline in deadly boating incidents.
Operation Dry Water takes place annually around the July Fourth holiday and is designed to reduce alcohol- and drug-related incidents on the water through increased patrols, safety education, and public outreach.
With the remainder of the summer boating season ahead, TWRA is encouraging boaters to prioritize safety by wearing personal flotation devices, following navigation laws, and never operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Agency officials say continued attention to safe boating practices will be especially important as Tennessee waterways remain busy leading into Labor Day weekend.
