I was having a discussion with a friend at a BBQ last night, who was telling me a guy from his work was asked to leave rottnest by the police and long story short drive his boat back from rotto even though he was under the influence, with the polices full knowledge of this.
I didn't quite believe him, until I did a quick search I couldn't really find anything set in stone about drink driving boats, and actually found an article that mentioned
"In the absence of clear legislation on the amount of alcohol that can be consumed the campaign urges skippers to drink responsibly"
www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/how-much-can-a-skipper-drink-20120323-1vphc.html
This friend of a friend was claiming that WA is the only state you can drink drive a boat.
I refuse to believe that this is true but can't find any legislation supporting my doubts?
Unhooked3d, I must admit when I read your post I was a bit dubious and thought 'No that cant be right . . . can it' ?
So I went searching and I reckon you're 100% spot on the money . . . .
Page 16 of Dept of Transport Recreational Skippers Ticket Workbook
www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_P_RST_Workbook.pdf
Alcohol and drugs
It is a legal obligation that no person shall navigate or attempt to navigate a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol is absorbed quickly into the blood and travels rapidly to all parts of the body. It affects your brain???s ability to make judgments and process information. It also impairs your consciousness and vision. The effect of alcohol may cause you to take more risks than you would normally. Remember, alcohol slows down your reaction time to marine hazards.
Well Whhoooppppeeeee EFFing Do, "It's a legal obligation" but I don't know, I cant find what the "legal obligation" is anywhere?
Do any of the more experienced boaties know more?
There is no law on drink driving on boats in WA. They can only charge you with Culpable navigation if they thought you that much under the influence as to be able to prove you did not have the ability to drive safety..Its stupid but true..
Same as you don't you need life jackets or anchor on the River
Crazy huh..
I'm fairly sure it's the same in NT as well. People'd drink out in there boat all day, the police couldn't do anything while they're were out there so would set up booze buses near a boat ramp and get people as they drove away.
Don't know about WA but the NT has been done to death many times. You are operating a vehicle and can be done DUI. Same as operating a bicycle or any other vehicle in a public area. Just read the 5min's silence (NT News) if it's not a croc story then it's some idiot DUI'ed on a motorised scooter who should be dead they have such a skinfull. FWIW Cop's love breathalysing people in their boats at the ramps, they don't need them to drive away. The problem the NT has is that it is such a huge area who knows whats going on away from the "habitated" areas.
Select to expand quoteslammin said...
Don't know about WA but the NT has been done to death many times. You are operating a vehicle and can be done DUI. Same as operating a bicycle or any other vehicle in a public area. Just read the 5min's silence (NT News) if it's not a croc story then it's some idiot DUI'ed on a motorised scooter who should be dead they have such a skinfull. FWIW Cop's love breathalysing people in their boats at the ramps, they don't need them to drive away. The problem the NT has is that it is such a huge area who knows whats going on away from the "habitated" areas.
Vehicle yes boat no. Not on road.
I agreed with the Judge that drink driving is reckless, irresponsible and stupid.
However your honour it's a proven fact alcohol impairs ones judgement, causing them to
Take actions that are not seen as responsible, so I plead guilty to the effects of alcohol.
what if you were powering your boat down the road pissed? (well trying to anyway i guess).
