FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 27, 2026
Contact: Paige Carbone at [email protected]
Statewide awareness effort encourages boaters to plan ahead and stay sober on New Jersey waterways
(ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J.) — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) New Jersey today launched its “Know Before You Boat” campaign, a month-long initiative running throughout August to educate boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI) and encourage responsible decisions before heading out on the water. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal recreational boating incidents nationwide, making boating sober one of the most important steps people can take to protect themselves, their passengers, and everyone else on the water.
While best known for its work to end impaired driving on our nation’s roads, MADD also works to prevent impaired operation of any motorized vehicle, including boats, because alcohol impairment puts lives at risk wherever people choose to operate them. Through public education, community outreach, and safety messaging, MADD aims to help reduce impaired boating incidents during one of New Jersey’s busiest recreational boating months.
“MADD works tirelessly to stop those who are impaired from getting behind the wheel on both roads and waterways,” said Paige Carbone, Regional Executive Director for MADD. “Together we can empower boaters to make responsible choices, protect their passengers, and ensure everyone enjoys their time on the water and gets home safely.”
Unlike driving a vehicle, boating places additional physical demands on the body. Sun exposure, wind, waves, vibration, heat, and engine noise accelerate fatigue and can intensify the effects of alcohol—slowing reaction time, impairing judgment, and reducing coordination even after relatively small amounts of alcohol.
From the back bays to the Atlantic coastline, Atlantic County’s waterways welcome millions of recreational boaters each summer. That popularity also makes boating safety a critical public safety priority, particularly during August when boating activity peaks.
Every state, including New Jersey, prohibits operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. In New Jersey, a BUI carries serious legal consequences, including fines, possible jail time, and the suspension of both boating and driving privileges.
“Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a vital partner to Highway Traffic Safety in our shared mission to protect the lives of Atlantic County residents and visitors”, said Christine Woltmann, Highway Traffic Safety, Atlantic-Cape May Region. “The Know Before You Boat initiative strengthens our collective effort to stop tragedies caused by impaired driving and boating. We urge our community to stay alert, act responsibly, and help keep our roads and waterways safe.”
Too often, people view alcohol as simply part of the boating experience. That mindset is both dangerous and deadly. Operating a vessel while impaired places everyone on the water at risk, including passengers, swimmers, other boaters, and first responders.
“Boating under the influence is not a harmless tradition or a lesser offense than driving under the influence. The consequences are just as devastating, and in recent years we have seen multiple fatal tragedies in Atlantic County where individuals operating boats while impaired caused the death of another human being. Those cases are being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Atlantic County Prosecutor, William E. Reynolds. “The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office is proud to stand with MADD, the United States Coast Guard, the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau, and our local law enforcement partners in raising awareness and preventing these needless tragedies.”
Supported by a grant from the MGM Resorts Foundation, the campaign raises awareness that boating under the influence is illegal, preventable, and just as dangerous as impaired driving.
“The MGM Resorts Foundation is proud to support MADD and their efforts in Atlantic County,” said Maria Jose Gatti, President of the MGM Resorts Foundation. “The Foundation is driven by employees who are dedicated to strengthening the communities where we live and work, and we are honored to partner with organizations like MADD that work to protect families and keep our communities safe.”
Throughout the summer, the Know Before You Boat campaign will encourage boaters to:
- Designate a sober boat operator before leaving the dock.
- Never operate a boat after consuming alcohol or other impairing drugs.
- Know that boating under the influence is illegal in New Jersey and can result in significant fines, jail time, and the suspension of both boating and driving privileges.
- Help keep New Jersey’s waterways safe for everyone.
Boating safely starts with planning ahead. Whether spending the day fishing, cruising, or enjoying time with family and friends, every boater has a responsibility to make sober choices that protect lives.
About the MGM Resorts Foundation
The MGM Resorts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2002 as an employee workplace giving program. Each year, the MGM Resorts Foundation Community Grant Fund awards grants to local nonprofit organizations in the regions where MGM Resorts employees live and work. Grant decisions are made by Community Grant Councils—voluntary committees of employees who represent their respective regions. Since its inception, the MGM Resorts Foundation has raised more than $116 million and supported more than 1,500 charitable organizations. MGM Resorts assumes all Foundation administrative costs, ensuring that 100% of the money raised directly reaches community causes. The Foundation prioritizes funding for agencies, projects, and programs that address critical community needs, including affordable housing, economic opportunity and workforce development, family services, food insecurity, health and wellness, homelessness, K-12 education, services for seniors, and services for veterans and military families.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by more than 51%, saved nearly 500,000 lives, and served nearly one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, and advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Drunk Driving Law that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new passenger vehicle. MADD also provides free support services to victims and survivors through trained victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line at 1-877-MADD-HELP. To learn more or support MADD’s mission, visit https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
