There was a time when pleasure boats rarely exceeded 10 mph. Now, powerboats that exceed 40 mph are the norm and indeed, a friend of mine just purchased a boat that will exceed 80 mph!

The old tradition of having a drink or two while cruising at a leisurely 6 knots has, unfortunately, stayed with many boaters, even as the speed and power of our boats has dramatically increased. People who would never consider drinking while driving a car down a city street at 40 mph, somehow think it's acceptable to do so while operating a boat. Add in the factor that people have much more experience driving a car than driving a boat, and you literally have an accident waiting to happen.

This was just brought home by a very tragic accident I read about last week. A jet boat operating at 4:00 AM, in a dense fog, hit a pier head on at 60 mph. In a second, a young man with a bright future was killed outright, while the passenger survived. Both men had been drinking all night.

Unfortunately, this occurrence happens time and again across this country. I scan the boating news, and each weekend of boating season brings new tales of death, dismemberment and destruction due to BUI (Boating Under the Influence).

With this horrible accident still fresh in my mind, I have decided to make another attempt to convince everyone that "drinking and operating a boat is a really BAD IDEA!"

• FACT: A boat operator is twice as likely to become impaired by alcohol, drink for drink, as someone sitting in a bar.
   
  The marine environment – motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray – accelerates the impairment of the person who is drinking. These stresses cause the fatigue that makes a boat operator's coordination, judgment and reaction time decline.
   
  
• FACT: It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (BUI) in every state in the U.S.
   
  The U.S. Coast Guard also enforces a Federal Law that prohibits BUI. This law pertains to all boats, from canoes to large ships, including foreign vessels operating in U.S. waters. In Canada, it is illegal to even have alcohol aboard a boat that does not have a cabin and a separate, closed locker in which to store the alcohol while underway.
   
  
• FACT: A boat operator with a blood alcohol level above .10% is estimated to be 10 times more likely to die in a boating accident than an operator with a zero blood alcohol concentration.
   
  
• FACT: Inner ear disturbances - a by-product of alcohol consumption - can make it impossible for an inebriated person, who falls in the water, to distinguish up from down. There are documented cases where inebriated people, over 6 feet tall have drowned in less than 3 feet of water.
   
  
• FACT: Alcohol creates a physical sensation of warmth. This sensation may prevent a person in cold water from getting out of the water before hypothermia sets in.
   
  
• FACT: Over 60% of all boating fatalities are alcohol related.
   
  ●Boating and water sports are fun in their own right. Alcohol can turn a great day on the water into the tragedy of a lifetime.
   
  ●Every boater needs to be aware that law enforcement agencies are not turning a blind eye to this problem. Every state in the U.S. has stepped-up patrols to stop BUI in its tracks. With that in mind, take a look at some of these ideas for avoiding a BUI arrest, which could include large fines, jail time, and the impoundment of your vessel or all of the above.
   
  ●Take along a variety of cool drinks, such as sodas, water, ice tea, or non-alcoholic beer.
   
  ●Bring along plenty of snacks.
   
  ●Wear clothing and a hat/cap that will help keep you cool.
   
  ●Limit your trip to a reasonable time to avoid fatigue. Remember, fatigue is going to occur faster on the water.
   
  ●If you're going to have a drink, make sure that your boat is tied to a dock, pulled up on shore or anchored. Then, wait a reasonable time (estimated at a minimum of one [1] hour per drink) before operating your boat again.

Finally, spread the word on the dangers of BUI! The sober and safe operation of your boat is your legal and personal responsibility.

Boating’s still good,
Barry