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 Water
on the Water, Beer on the Pier
by
Mark King
The 1999 statistics
on drinking and boating, compiled by the Canadian Red Cross, revealed
the number of alcohol-related boating deaths is steadily decreasing
by a few per year. That's the good news.
The bad news is Canadian boaters are still drinking
and boating. And that's a deadly combination.
According to the Red Cross, somewhere between 150
and 200 Canadians will drown this year as a result of boating related
incidents. At least 25 per cent of those will be under the influence
of alcohol. In many other cases it will not be known or proven that
the boater has consumed alcohol before drowning. This statistic
only includes drownings.
There will be countless other injuries that will
be directly or indirectly related to alcohol consumption on the
water and will not be reported - even if they include a trip to
the hospital. Broken bones, cuts, gashes, bruises and scrapes will
all be on the hidden list.
Realistically, after a hot day of boating what better
way is there to relax than with great company, a great meal and
a cold drink? Off the boat, that's fine. But, next to walking a
high wire, drinking on the water is probably one of the most dangerous
places to consume alcohol.
Even a little bit of alcohol, enjoyed after a day
of wind, sun, waves and operating a boat with all its noise, can
affect your co-ordination, balance and judgement as if you have
had a number of drinks on shore. When you're on the water, you can't
let your guard down. (Top)
Legal Issues
Boating and alcohol regulations vary from province to province.
In some prov-inces, passengers can have open alcohol while in other
provinces no open alcohol is allowed unless the boat is considered
a residence (equipped with a head, galley and berth) and is docked
or anchored.
The federal law, however, is clear. Being impaired
or having over .08 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood
while operating a vessel of any kind, size or shape is a criminal
offence. Period.
"The two offences are separate," explains Sgt. Brad
Schlorff of the Ontario Provincial Police. Suspicion is enough to
cause an arrest.
"The appearance of impairment or the smell of alcohol
or other symptoms like glassy eyes are all we need to make an arrest."
Once arrested, the boater will be asked to leave
his vessel and may be required to provide a preliminary breath sample
on the police boat. Whether or not that screening test proves anything,
the skipper will be taken to a shore-side facility for a final test.
"Before we head out onto the water we set up the
breath unit at a local marina or other facility where we can take
boaters suspected of drinking and boating," notes Schlorff.
If the test proves positive, or the boater refuses
to provide a breath sample, they will be formally charged and a
court date will be set.
When there isn't someone else on board to safely
bring the vessel to shore, it will be towed.
"Most marinas have towing capabilities. If they
don't, we will find some other way to get it to shore. That's the
boater's cost," notes Schlorff.
Upon appearance in court the fines and prohibitions
are the same as if the person was driving a car or piloting an airplane
under the influence of alcohol.
"The criminal code covers the three conveyances
and the penalties are conveyance specific," explains Schlorff.
This means if you are arrested in a motor vehicle
for drinking and driving, you cannot operate a motor vehicle. If
you are drinking and driving in a boat, say goodbye to your season.
Once convicted you will be prohibited from operating
a boat for at least three months. Repeat offences will result in
increased suspension and eventually, a long-term ban. The fines
also get steeper, your criminal record gets longer and insurance
rates will skyrocket.
In the U.S., many states enforce the Canadian prohibitions.
Some states, especially those bordering Canada, share criminal record
information with Canadian jurisdictions. Also, if you have a criminal
record from drinking and boating, it may prevent you from entering
the United States and other countries and could mean the end of
your winter vacations south.
(Top)
Impairment
Whether you're a first-time boater or a seasoned captain, you will
experience disorientation from prolonged periods afloat.
Sometimes described as sea-legs,
the disorientation, leads to slight dizziness and unsteadiness on
your feet.
Add the effects of the sun, wind,
dehydration, noise and other distractions and at the end of a day
of boating, you could be legally impaired.Alcohol worsens that effect.
While no hard scientific evidence
exists, people who have undergone controlled tests with alcohol
and boating report increased impairment compared with land- continued
on page 105based consumption. It is this combination that makes
alcohol so deadly on the water.
The lives of your guests are in your
hands and boating requires skill and total attention. Whether you
operate a family cruiser, an outboard fishing unit or a performance
boat, alcohol and boating is dangerous and illegal.
Keep it safe and simple: "Water on
the water and beer on the pier," and you won't become a Red Cross
statistic!
(Top)
Lifeline
is produced through the Safe Boater Training Program, a certification
program for recreational boaters.
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