Outdoor recreational activities are often associated with social behaviors that may include drinking.
But boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
is extremely hazardous, and illegal in every state and under federal law,
for all boats from the smallest paddle craft to the largest ships.
Recreational boaters generally have less experience operating their boats
than driving their cars,
and alcohol exacerbates their lack of skill and confidence.
The motion of a boat on the water,
engine noise and vibration,
as well as the impacts of sun,
wind, and spray
create stressors that intensify the effects of alcohol causing boater’s fatigue.
An operator’s judgment and reaction time decline more quickly than when sober.
The financial and legal repercussions of BUI can include large fines, jail terms, revocation of operator privileges,
and insurance rate increases for the convicted person’s car as well as boat.
But the greatest risk from BUI is even worse than having a criminal record.
It’s the loss of your life, the lives of your family members, friends, additional passengers,
or other fellow boaters.
In recent years, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, boating under the influence has been the leading contributing factor
in fatal boating incidents where the cause was known.
There is no safe threshold for drinking and operating a boat.
Over half of all boating accidents involve alcohol or drugs according to the Insurance Information Institute;
and the Coast Guard reports that BUI incidents
increase boating fatalities by approximately thirty-four percent.
A boat operator with a blood-alcohol concentration above point one percent
is estimated to be more than ten times as likely to die in a boating accident
than an operator with zero blood-alcohol concentration.
Alcohol affects vision, balance, and coordination.
These impairments increase the likelihood of accidents afloat.
Coast Guard data shows that in boating deaths involving alcohol use,
over half the victims capsized their boats and/or fell overboard.
Passengers are also at greatly increased risk
for injury and death –
especially if they are also drunk or high
and can fall overboard or distract the boat operator.
Accidents that happen when a boater is using alcohol or drugs
can hurt many people.
Everyone onboard the vessel
and everybody on other nearby boats are at risk.
Be extra careful on major holiday weekends.
Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day are considered the deadliest weekends
both on the water and on the road for accidents involving alcohol.
Take special care to use defensive boat operating skills during these weekends
and be aware that local law enforcement officials will step-up their efforts
to identify boaters who are under the influence.
While having no alcohol aboard is the safest way to enjoy the water,
if a voyage must involve alcohol, boaters need a designated sober operator.
Prior to departure, designate a qualified individual to serve in that capacity.
Ensure that the person knows how to operate the boat being used.
The designated sober operator must run the vessel in a safe and prudent manner
and exercise reasonable care for his or her passengers.
He or she has an obligation to keep all passengers safe.
For trailered boats, the designated sober operator
should also be the designated driver of the vehicle used to tow the boat.
Be prepared for being outdoors and on-the-water.
Bring non-alcoholic beverages to keep everyone aboard hydrated,
and make sure the operator and all passengers
are wearing properly fitted Coast Guard approved life jackets while underway.
Because alcohol, combined with the elements,
can impair your balance, wearing a life jacket is even more important than otherwise.
Most drownings are the result of slips, trips, and falls;
and drinking increases the risks of such accidents.
Don’t become a BUI fatality statistic.