- Joined
- Feb 27, 2009
- Location
- Milan, NY 12571
Sometimes boaters do enjoy a couple drinks on their boats, and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as boat is securely anchored or tied to the docks for the night. However operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is asking for big trouble. Majority of boat fatalities nationwide each year involve boating while intoxicated (BWI).
The designated-driver rule that applies ashore goes double afloat, while you may not mind if your friends party on, the person at the wheel must be teetotaler until the engines are shut down for the day.
All states have BWI laws, and it doesn't take much alcohol to take you over the limit that ranges from .5 to .8. for most men 3 to 4 beers will do the job, small-bodied women will need only 2 to 3.
you don't have to be legaly drunk, thought, to be incapacitated as a skipper. Studies say the effects of alcohol afloat can be more pronounced on the water than ashore. Dehydration from exposure to sun and wind,plus the rocking of waves and the tireness that comes toward the end of a dayof boating, can all contribute towards making you moretipsy for a given number of drinks than you might be back on shore.
The penalties for boating under the influence are as severe afloat as they are ashore, and the authorities can pull you over for no reason and check . in many states, any BWI convictions can result in points added to your landside driver's licence. Just don't take chances and steer clear of alcohol. The best policy is to keep your mind completely clear any time you may be called on to make decisions affecting the safety of your guests and boat. This also go for mind altering drugs illegal and prescription alike .
Avoid anything that may slow your decision-making.
The designated-driver rule that applies ashore goes double afloat, while you may not mind if your friends party on, the person at the wheel must be teetotaler until the engines are shut down for the day.
All states have BWI laws, and it doesn't take much alcohol to take you over the limit that ranges from .5 to .8. for most men 3 to 4 beers will do the job, small-bodied women will need only 2 to 3.
you don't have to be legaly drunk, thought, to be incapacitated as a skipper. Studies say the effects of alcohol afloat can be more pronounced on the water than ashore. Dehydration from exposure to sun and wind,plus the rocking of waves and the tireness that comes toward the end of a dayof boating, can all contribute towards making you moretipsy for a given number of drinks than you might be back on shore.
The penalties for boating under the influence are as severe afloat as they are ashore, and the authorities can pull you over for no reason and check . in many states, any BWI convictions can result in points added to your landside driver's licence. Just don't take chances and steer clear of alcohol. The best policy is to keep your mind completely clear any time you may be called on to make decisions affecting the safety of your guests and boat. This also go for mind altering drugs illegal and prescription alike .
Avoid anything that may slow your decision-making.