| Boating under the influence of alcohol is responsible | | | | after drunk driving laws. Boaters are being watched |
| for over 50% of boating fatalities every year. This | | | | closer on public waterways and the tolerance level is |
| percentage is rising as safety laws concerning | | | | being dropped to zero in many areas. Boat operators |
| personal floatation devices pushes down the death | | | | are often beginning to adapt the highly successful |
| rate every year. | | | | designated driver approach that has been helpful in |
| The number of recreational boating deaths in 1976 | | | | reducing deaths on the highways. |
| was 1,466. This was with an estimated 11.4 million | | | | There seems to be something about the fresh air, |
| boats for a rate of 12.4 deaths per 100,000 boats in | | | | the blowing wind, and the feel of water beneath the |
| use. Ten years later, in 1986, the number had | | | | boat that increases the effects of alcohol on the |
| dropped almost in half as the number of boats in use | | | | decision making and motor skills of boat operators. |
| increased by almost 5 million. In 2005, the rate was | | | | Although tests on drunk boating have not been as |
| less than half of the rate in 1976. What caused this | | | | intensive as those done on drunk driving, much of |
| steady decline? It can mostly be attributed to laws | | | | the data can be transferred. The bottom line is that |
| mandating the use of approved personal floatation | | | | operating a boat, like operating a vehicle on the road, |
| devices in boats. | | | | requires a sober and alert driver. Many people may |
| This eliminated a major cause of deaths. It was a | | | | look at the deaths per number of boats statistics to |
| shame that the Government had to step in and pass | | | | make a case that this is really a minor problem. But |
| laws that made people stop being stupid and realize | | | | isn't one death on the water too many? |
| the importance of a personal floatation device when | | | | There is even a boating based organization to |
| operating the high speed recreational boats that | | | | champion the fight against drunk boating. BADD, or |
| were becoming popular. Now, the main culprit is | | | | Boaters Against Drunk Driving, has become active in |
| another form of stupidity. Alcohol and wild parties | | | | promoting stricter laws and educating boaters to the |
| have long been associated with boating, but the | | | | hazards of boating under the influence of alcohol and |
| operator of a boat has no more business being drunk | | | | drugs. No one is against having a good time on the |
| than the driver of an automobile. | | | | water, but the operator of a boat is like the Captain |
| In addition to Federal laws, the majority of States | | | | of the ship and in his hands rests the responsibility |
| have passed OUI or BUI (operating under the | | | | for the lives of himself, his passengers, and others on |
| influence/boating under the influence) laws modeled | | | | the waterways. It should be a sobering responsibility. |