BUFORD, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The multi-agency campaign is part of an annual nationwide effort to educate boaters about the dangers of being under the influence while operating watercraft.
Officers are out looking for anyone boating under the influence heading into the July 4 weekend.
Along Lake Lanier the patrols come just days after two young brothers were killed in a boating crash there.
Parents who were on the beach over the weekend with their kids were more than happy hear about the stepped-up boat patrols.
"Sometimes when we're on the shore and we see boats, they look like they're going to run into each other," said parent Rick Olla.
Sgt. Brian Keener with the Georgia DNR said three boats are out on Lake Lanier helping with the Dry Water efforts.
"A lot of times people come out here after a long day at work. They come out here to recreate, and sometimes safety is not the first thing on their mind," Keener said.
The water safety efforts come just days after the young brothers. Griffin and Jake Prince, of Buford, were killed by an alleged drunk boater.
The devastating story has captured the hearts of thousands of people like Buford resident Tunde Noibi.
"It was sad news to hear that. I actually went by the neighborhood. The scene is very disheartening, especially somebody drunk and riding a boat. That shouldn't happen at all," Noibi said.
Georgia conservation rangers have already made 63 arrests on the waterways.
That number is nearly one third of the number of BUI arrests made in all of last year, and summer has just begun.
On Lake Lanier, authorities did not hand out any BUIs, but Saturday five boaters were cited while another four were ticketed Sunday.
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