18
Chapter 2
BOATING & ALCOHOL
Operating a vessel while
intoxicated became a
specific federal offense
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 ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
ALCOHOL MYTHS AND FACTS
Myth: Beer is less intoxicating than other alcoholic
beverages.
Fact: One 12 oz. can of beer has about the same amount
of alcohol as a 5oz. glass of wine or a shot of liquor.
Myth: Black co ee, fresh air, and a shower will sober the
e ects of alcohol.
Fact: A er consuming alcohol time is the only thing that
will sober you up. Our bodies average burning 1 oz. of
alcohol every hour. If a person is drunk, it will take a
person seven or more hours to sober up.
Myth: Telling if a person is too drunk to operate a vessel
is easy.
Fact: Many experienced drinkers have learned to
compensate for the visual e ects of alcohol and can
disguise their drunk condition.
Myth: You can judge if you are t to operate a boat.
Fact: Judgement is one of the rst elements you lose
when drinking.
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
