Of course, people want to have fun and relax while sailing on the pristine Australian coastline. Alcohol is often a part of our culture. But all of the laughter and smiles come to a screeching halt in the event of a collision or tragedy. According to recent studies, alcohol is involved in over 50 percent of marine fatalities.
Contrary to popular belief, the number one cause of alcohol-related deaths on boats is not due to collision. People get quite sloppy when they are intoxicated and unfortunately the combination of alcohol and rocky waters can become deadly. Tipsy passengers often slip and fall, causing head and neck injuries. In other cases they fall overboard and by the time they are found, they have drowned. These victims are often quite good swimmers, but their judgment and motion became hindered by intoxication.
When alcohol gets into a person’s bloodstream in excess, it inevitably impairs their vision, comprehension, reactivity, judgment and coordination. All of these items are necessary in the event of an emergency such as an unexpected wave or gust of wind. Once you are in the water, you are even more out of control of environmental circumstances (wind, waves, currents, etc.) than on land. Vision, judgment, and reflexes are even more important at sea and because you are in open water without any guidelines or traffic lights, you are more at risk for disorientation when you are drunk.
Legally there are restrictions against operating a motor vehicle in the water while under the influence. Water police will randomly select boats and skippers to take breathalyser tests to determine whether they have exceeded the legal level of alcohol. This law shouldn’t be taken lightly. Australian courts will prosecute those who abuse navigating vessels under the influence with heavy fines, revoking licenses and in some cases of negligence even imprisonment.
Driving drunk on water can cause a rise in your marine insurance premium. Just as you have a driving record with the motor vehicle department, your operating violations in the water can be searched and tracked electronically based on your registration or license. Seeing that you participate in high-risk behaviour will send up a red flag for insurance agents considering your application and rates.
Most of the time when people think of drunk driving, they think of irresponsible people in a car, but drunk driving is just as deadly on water. Know when to say no and encourage your fellow passengers to take it easy on the alcohol until they reach land to ensure marine safety. Not having any alcohol on the boat at all is the best way for your passengers to enjoy themselves safely at sea.