Alcohol Awareness
Every year hundreds of people die as a result of boating related activities. Almost 65% of these deaths involve the use of alcohol.
There is no safe way to mix alcohol and drugs with boating.
Boat Smart…Boat Sober!
The Facts
It's sad, but true: Many people who would never drive their car after drinking alcohol, don’t think twice about combining boating and alcohol.
- 37% of boaters in Canada admit to consuming alcohol every time they boat.
- 66% report they drink alcohol sometimes when boating.
- Alcohol is a factor in over 40% of recreational boating fatalities.
Many people think it’s okay to drink and boat … but it’s not! Drinking and boating is just as illegal as drinking and driving, and can be even more dangerous.
Alcohol & the Boater
How can alcohol affect the boater?
Alcohol is alcohol: 341 ml (12 oz) of beer = 142 ml (5 oz) of wine = 43 ml (1.5 oz) of spirits
Alcohol:
- Diminishes judgement and the ability to process information;
- Reduces motor skills, peripheral vision and balance;
- Slows reaction and reflex response time;
- Reduces depth perception, vision and focus;
- Disturbs the inner ear thus reducing your ability to distinguish the water surface if you fall in;
- Accelerates hypothermia.
Impaired Boating
Boating while impaired is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. The laws are enforced by local, provincial and federal police who carry alcohol-screening devices on the water.
Upon conviction for the offence of impaired operation of a vessel, or of operating a vessel with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, a person is liable of the following:
1st offence - a minimum fine of $600
2nd offence - imprisonment for not less than 14 days
3rd and each subsequent offence - the maximum sentence for these offences may vary depending on provincial statutes.
Be Responsible
Wait until you are off the water before consuming alcohol. Remember, if you drink after a day of boating, be sure you have a designated driver for your vehicle.
- Don’t allow a person who has consumed alcohol to operate a boat.
- Provide non-alcoholic beverages for boat operators and passengers.
- Wear lifejackets or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). It’s the law to carry one that fits each person in the vessel, but Red Cross recommends wearing it every trip, for the whole trip.
