Zach LarkinsBOATING
Many years ago, in a former life, I owned a boat. No biggie, just a nice 14' fishing boat. It served me well and I always had a good time when I was out on the water in her. And as a true fisherman, I would pack a lunch and a six-pack before going out to kill some fishies. I wasn't sure, but I thought it was an unwritten rule somewhere that this is what you had to do. Fishing is a peaceful pass time but it can get mentally exhausting and it can get damn hot when you're out there all day and the little suckers just ain't biting.
Well, I woke up today to find that the law is going to be stepped up against drunk boaters. On the surface of it, I have to agree with the reasoning behind it. There have been too many fatalities around here in the past involving boaters who were under the influence.
You are still able to drink on a boat under the following conditions:
You must be anchored.
The boat must have a head.
The boat must have overnight accommodations.
Pretty fair, pretty simple. I don't know anyone who could disagree with any of that.
But what they plan on doing now is, if they find you operating your boat when you've had too much, you're going to lose your drivers licence. I have trouble with this. Unless you're operating a lake freighter or a tugboat, you don't really need a car to get to work. The rest of us mere mortals do. How else are we going to get to work to make the money to pay the fines?
As it is, you have to now take a boating course to get certified in marine operations and carry a permit showing the world that 1) you took the course and 2) passed it. Where I live, you can only boat for about three months anyway, unless you fancy yourself Nanook of the North. Why should you be punished that harshly, loss of your driver's licence for 12 months, when in fact, you weren't driving your car?
I think maybe confiscating your fishing licence and your boat operator's permit plus a hefty fine would suffice. If they caught you out there again, while under suspension, double the fine. This way you're not penalized by not being able to get to work or go grocery shopping and your family is not penalized for your idiocy. Point in fact: my wife does not drive. Why should she suffer because of my blunder?
I torn on this issue and wouldn't mind some feedback, both pro and con, on it. I can see both sides of the coin here, but I think it's sorta like using a sledge hammer to kill a fly.
Any opinions?
Well, I woke up today to find that the law is going to be stepped up against drunk boaters. On the surface of it, I have to agree with the reasoning behind it. There have been too many fatalities around here in the past involving boaters who were under the influence.
You are still able to drink on a boat under the following conditions:
You must be anchored.
The boat must have a head.
The boat must have overnight accommodations.
Pretty fair, pretty simple. I don't know anyone who could disagree with any of that.
But what they plan on doing now is, if they find you operating your boat when you've had too much, you're going to lose your drivers licence. I have trouble with this. Unless you're operating a lake freighter or a tugboat, you don't really need a car to get to work. The rest of us mere mortals do. How else are we going to get to work to make the money to pay the fines?
As it is, you have to now take a boating course to get certified in marine operations and carry a permit showing the world that 1) you took the course and 2) passed it. Where I live, you can only boat for about three months anyway, unless you fancy yourself Nanook of the North. Why should you be punished that harshly, loss of your driver's licence for 12 months, when in fact, you weren't driving your car?
I think maybe confiscating your fishing licence and your boat operator's permit plus a hefty fine would suffice. If they caught you out there again, while under suspension, double the fine. This way you're not penalized by not being able to get to work or go grocery shopping and your family is not penalized for your idiocy. Point in fact: my wife does not drive. Why should she suffer because of my blunder?
I torn on this issue and wouldn't mind some feedback, both pro and con, on it. I can see both sides of the coin here, but I think it's sorta like using a sledge hammer to kill a fly.
Any opinions?
actually here in San Diego County where beaches, harbors, lakes, bays, rivers and even made-made lagoons are plentiful, they have a whole slew of law enforcement people that cover strictly the marine environment...
The U.S. Coast Guard patrols the outter banks, offshore coast lines and the open oceans, but they also team up with the Harbor Police to patrol city owned and operated bays, lagoons and harbors...
Park Rangers in special boats, sand vehicles, (Jeeps and 4X4's) and on watercraft, (Seadoos and jet-skis), patrol State run parks that have access to beahces, bays, rivers and lagoons....and even lifeguards with special police powers patrol every single beach you visit...
Since San Diego County has pretty great weather year round, it's a haven for Spring Breakers, surfers, deep sea, lake and river fishing enthusiasts, and boaters of every kind, from huge luxury yatchs to sailboats, small skiffs and even Zodiacs and row boats...
So marine law enforcement officials are just about everywhere you go that's anywhere near water, and they all have the same powers as the police and The Coast Guard...
I've only been to the beaches here a few times, but let me tell you, they're wild and crazy every single day but particularly bad on the weekends and Spring Break...
There are marinas on every single block, and even places that are strictly for party boats only! So trust me, the waterways here are always crowded with crazy folk...
People get drunk and hit the water every single day but they are especially bad on the weekends...
But if you're anywhere out on the water, any one of the above mentioned officials can come along, hand you a breathailzer and then call the police in to arrest your ass..
After that they can seize whatever vessel you're in, confiscate anything that happens to be on it with you and then and tow the whole kaboodle back to the impound marina...
You could lose your boating license for up to three years and be banned from ever owning any type of watercraft again depending on how many offenses you have, but that doesn't effect your driver's license...
I don't think your automobile license should be taken away or affected if you're drunk while you're out on the water...That's kinda stupid to me...
But then again, if you saw how crazy people act out here on the water in California, then it doesn't seem like such a bad idea!
If you knew you could possibly lose your car license for your boating stupidity, it might curb some of the injuries and fatalities...
But then again, that's just my opinion buddy, cause I get to see it on the news nearly every single day...
Great post, good question to debate!
Take care,
Nick
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Tales From The Green Lantern
Thanks for the comment, it's very much appreciated.
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Thanks for your comment. It's good to have you back.
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Apples and oranges here, it seems to me. Having a couple beers on a boat that goes 10 miles per hour on a lake seems like a far less egregious crimes than drinking and driving. Even do, drunken boating should not be tolerated and I'm fine with confiscating fishing licenses, boating licenses, etc. But, authorities, please leave the punishment on the lake.
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