1-25
Safety On Board
BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Operating a vessel while intoxicated became a speci c federal o ense
e ective in 1988. e ruling set federal standards for determining
when an individual is intoxicated. If the blood alcohol content (BAC)
is .10% (.08 in some states) or higher for operators of recreational
vessels being used only for pleasure are subject to a civil penalty up
to $1,000 or criminal penalty up to $5,000, one year imprisonment
or both. In some states the nes and imprisonment may increase
signi cantly.
e e ects of alcohol and drugs account for the highest single cause of
marine accidents and deaths. Most deaths in boating accidents occur
when someone falls into the water. Balance is one of the rst things
you lose when drinking alcohol or under the in uence of drugs. e
problem arises out of not knowing your balance is restricted.
Overall vision is reduced by alcohol especially at night, along with
double or blurred vision. Peripheral vision is lessened which restricts
seeing vessels or objects on the side. Also, color awareness decreases
especially with red and green which happen to be the colors of boat
navigation lights, buoys, and channel markers.
Alcohol will greatly increase your heat loss so it increases the e ects
of hypothermia. Finally, your ability to make correct judgements in
emergency situations is greatly reduced. Alcohol takes away the brains
ability to process information quickly and delays a persons reaction
time. Don’t drink and drive!
FEDERAL LAWS PROHIBIT OPERATING A VESSEL
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
THESE LAWS ARE VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED
BY ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
WARNING
To Next Page
Loading...
