The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be part of a multi-agency enforcement effort on the Colorado River this weekend, checking for individuals operating under the influence (OUI).

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be enforcing Arizona’s OUI legal limit of a .08 blood-alcohol content.

“A large number of boating accidents involve alcohol,” said Tim Baumgarten, who coordinates safety checkpoints for the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Kingman office. “Removing impaired boaters from the waterways is a critical element in creating a safe, enjoyable recreational environment for the public.”

All boaters passing through the checkpoint will be subject to a systematic safety inspection this weekend. Operators will be checked for alcohol impairment, and all boats stopped will be checked for required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and working fire extinguishers.

“The responsibility for boating safety among watercraft users is becoming increasingly important on our waterways,” Baumgarten said. “The area is growing quickly and we share these waterways with California and Nevada. It’s becoming very congested, which lends itself to more potential hazards.”

Baumgarten advises boaters to review requirements in the regulations prior to launching.

“Pre-planning in regards to safety equipment is easy and cheaper than receiving a ticket and then having to meet those requirements,” he said.

Additional multi-agency OUI checkpoints will occur on the Colorado River and its reservoirs throughout the boating season.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages boaters to take part in a boating education class. Interested parties can look for available classes on the department web site, www.azgfd.gov/boating.