The Ohio Division of Natural Resources, Watercraft Division is taking part in a nation-wide event called Operation Dry Water happening this weekend, Friday through Sunday.

ODNR has participated in Operation Dry Water for the past four years and has used it to prepare for the following weekends like July 4th and targets alcohol impaired boaters.

Richard Lowry, Area Supervisor for the ODNR Akron Field Office tells AkronNewsNow that "We ask that you take a sober boater on board if you plan on using alcohol for your entertainment to use a sober skipper."

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators heads the nation-wide event spreading awareness about boating by saying approximately one in every three boating accidents has alcohol involved in Ohio.

"This is an annual crackdown on boating OVI's and as we prepare to go into the 4th of July weekend, our enforcement measures are more focused on alcohol detection apprehension, and prosecution , so were ramping up for the fourth of July" says Lowry.

Division of Watercraft officers contacted 1,907 boaters and made eight arrests for boating while intoxicated in 2011 and no boating related deaths were recorded in Ohio during Operation Dry water last year.

Drunk boaters are not the only focus of Operation Dry Water. Drug related and impaired arrests are more prevalent today and increases the risk of accidents on the water.