WATER police have warned boat skippers to stay under the 0.05 blood alcohol limit or face the prospect of heavy fines and possible jail sentences.
Police say alcohol and drug tests will be conducted over summer in Moreton Bay whether skippers are in charge of a 2.5 metre dingy or a 40 metre passenger ferry.
Sergeant Adam Howe of Redland Bay Water Police said all boat skippers had to be wary of drinking when aboard waterecraft.
“As the skipper of a vessel you are accountable for any accident or injury which could occur as well as your ability to respond to any emergency on-board, such as dragging anchor, fire or unexpected flooding,” he said.
“...Responsible and safe boating means the skipper of any vessel needs to go easy on the drink at all times.
“Generally speaking, the same drinking and driving rules apply on the water as on the road.”
Sergeant Howe said it was the responsibility of recreational skippers to stay under the 0.05 blood alcohol limit.
“It is an offence for the master of a vessel to permit a person who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to operate the vessel in any waters,” he said.
“To be guilty of the offence, the master must be aware, or has reasonable cause to believe, that the person is under the influence of alcohol.
“Drink-drug driving rules apply on the water regardless of the size of the vessel being used… Skippers can be expected to be breath or drug tested over coming months.
“As with road users, one area where skippers are getting caught out is operating vessels early in the day after drinking the night before.
“If you intend to go boating early in the morning, make sure your limit your alcohol consumption the night before.”
Sergeant Howe said the skipper of a recreational boat was also responsible for the safety of passengers and their alcohol consumption.
A skipper’s limit was still 0.05 even when the boat was at anchor. The exception was if the boat was moored in a marina, to a jetty or wharf or on a swing mooring.
The master of a class 1 commercial ship must have a blood alcohol limit of 0.
The master of all other classes of commercial ships (class 2, 3 and 4) must have a blood alcohol limit of less than 0.05.
Studies in Australia and New Zealand show alcohol has been a factor in one third of all boating fatalities.
Passengers who have had too much to drink are just as likely as operators to be involved in accidents such as a boat capsize or falling overboard.
“Ultimate responsibility for the safety of the vessel and passengers remains with the skipper,” Sergeant Howe said. “If you are the skipper then you are responsible.”
