ANNAPOLIS - With the unpredictable weather during this three day July Fourth holiday weekend, the men and women of the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) were kept busy making over 5,900 boating contacts on state waterways and over 5,000 public lands contacts.

"Operation Big Bang is another example of the commitment the Maryland Natural Resources Police has towards public safety and environmental conservation enforcement," said Col. George F. Johnson IV, Superintendent of the NRP.

Operation Big Bang aggressively targeted boaters operating in a reckless or negligent manner and/or under the influence of alcohol on the waterways. The operation also focused on boaters not maintaining a proper lookout and not having the required safety equipment onboard. Patrols in state parks and forests targeted underage alcohol possession and individuals driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as the use of illegal fireworks and other criminal activity.

On the waterways, NRP checked 5,908 boaters and performed 3,205 vessel safety inspections over the holiday weekend. Officers issued 360 citations and 1,163 warnings on the state's waterways. Twelve subjects were arrested for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (a 7.5 percent decrease from last year) and two for other criminal acts. NRP also investigated 14 boating accidents (a 6.5 percent decrease from last year) with no life threatening injuries.

In state parks, NRP made 5,189 public lands contacts, issued 152 citations and 259 warnings. Four individuals were arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and ten for other criminal acts. NRP investigated three accidents in state parks with no life threatening injuries.