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07/11/2019

State Environmental Conservation Police Partner with Marine Agencies, Make Arrests in Weekend Operation DryWater Enforcement

Officers with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (Encon) Police participated in Operation DryWater from Friday, July 5, through Sunday, July 7, 2019.
In an effort to keep boaters safe on the water over the busy holiday weekend, Encon Officers increased patrols of many state and federal waters, including the Connecticut River, Candlewood Lake, Coventry Lake, and Long Island Sound, contacting numerous vessels and issuing tickets and warnings for other safety violations.
Among the violations, three boaters were charged with Boating Under the Influence (BUI). It is illegal to operate a vessel, including personal watercraft (“jet skis”), while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in Connecticut waters.
  • On 7/5/19 Scott Zajac, 35, of Westbrook, was arrested in Old Saybrook for operating a vessel under the influence and operating a Personal Watercraft (PWC) after sunset.
  • On 7/5/19, EnCon Police officers were called to a two vessel accident in the Connecticut River, Portland, and cited 39 year old Jerry Okon of Southington for BUI, and operating his PWC after sunset.
  • On 7/6/19, EnCon Police engaged a large powerboat speeding through a no wake zone in the Connecticut River in East Haddam, and later arrested Connor Sestrom, 20, of Niantic for BUI, speed, and alcohol violations.
All three were released pending future court appearances.
The on-water patrols and extra emphasis on boating safety were conducted in partnership with State Police, US Coast Guard, and local marine police as part of a nationwide effort to bring heightened awareness to the issue of boating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, which can result in up to a $1,000 fine and/or sixty days in prison for first time convictions.
For more information please contact Captain Eric Lundin at (860) 424-4155.
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