DNR Law Enforcement Officers Advise Against Boating Under the Influence

MJ KNEISER, WLHR

Memorial Day is just days away now and already people are making their way to Lake Hartwell to enjoy the long weekend and the unofficial kick off to the summer season.

Most of those lake visitors will be getting out on the lake on boats and personal water craft and many of those revelers will be boating under the influence.

And according to Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Officer Craig Fulghum, there will be extra patrols on the lake this weekend looking for impaired boaters.

“It is the number one issue inherent danger to boaters  in the state of Georgia on our waterways,” said Fulghum. “Individuals that are out there boating under the influence of alcohol and drugs and as officers and game wardens in the state, our number one priority is to get them off the water as quick as we can so that everybody whose trying to do it right can enjoy their day.”

The Georgia Boat Safety Act prohibits anyone from boating under the influence.

That includes, operating any boat, sailboat, personal watercraft, water skis, sailboard or similar device while intoxicated.

It is also unlawful for the owner of a boat or personal watercraft to allow anyone else to operate their boat or PWC while that person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

According to Fulghum, the blood alcohol level for boaters is the same as for motorists on the road.

“In the state of Georgia, it’s .08 BAC, which is just in line with driving under the influence,” said Fulghum. “The penalties and fines can sometimes be exactly the same for driving under the influence and boating under the influence, so the court system sees it as a serious infraction. You’re going to go to jail.”

Fulghum said while drinking on a boat is not a crime, driving a boat while drunk is and that’s why he recommends having a designated “skipper” on board.

“Obviously if you’re going to do any kind of drinking over the Memorial Day holiday, have a sober operator that can operate the boat,” said Fulghum. “There’s no problem with having alcohol in your boat, just the driver can’t be under the influence. We recommend finding someone that we call a designated skipper- someone who doesn’t drink at all, all day and that way you don’t have to worry about it.”

Fulghum said it is also illegal for those under the age of 21 years to operate a boat or PWC if their blood alcohol level is 0.02 or more

And if you get arrested for boating under the influence you could lose your boating privileges until you successfully complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program approved by the Department of Driver Services.

You will also be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or prison time up to one year

Additionally anyone found operating a boat or PWC under the influence while a child under the age of 14 years is on board, is also guilty of the separate charge of endangering a child.