Stay Sober for Safe Recreational Boating

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 21, 2007) – This boating season, enforcement officers with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will keep a watchful eye for intoxicated boat operators.

“The goal is to keep waterways safe for everyone’s enjoyment,” said Capt. Chris Huebner, the boating safety coordinator for the Commission. “There’s a considerable risk when an impaired operator gets behind the controls, so we strongly advise having a designated operator, someone who is safe and sober, at the helm.”

North Carolina law sets the same limit for alcohol consumption while operating a boat –
.08 blood alcohol concentration – as for operating a motor vehicle on the road. State law also allows an impaired charge for boaters even if blood alcohol concentration levels are under .08 but the operator is “appreciably impaired.”

Safe boating is accomplished through enforcement and education, but Capt. Huebner noted nothing is more important than boaters’ cooperation.

“The enforcement effort takes law breakers off the water, once apprehended,” Capt. Huebner said. “The education effort is another part of responsible boating. The Wildlife Resources Commission offers free boating courses, which include information about boat operation, legal requirements, handling emergencies and more. These courses also certify anyone between the ages of 14 and 16 to operate a personal watercraft in North Carolina.”

This year a new law requires boaters approaching within 100 feet of a law enforcement vessel displaying a blue light to slow to a no-wake speed. In narrow channels the distance becomes 50 feet. All vessels are required to stop immediately when an officer displays a blue light or signals for an operator to halt.

For more information, click here or call (919) 707-0031.