Ever imagine cruising down a road that has no stop signs, speed limits, or lanes? Sounds like a video game.
Now, picture you're on a boat. Unlike roads, there are no clear paths or constant reminders to slow down when you're on the water. Sure, there are markers, but they're fewer than traffic signs. And unlike a highway, boats can come at you from any direction.
Like driving a car, operating a craft on the water requires respect for the power of the vessel and the importance of prioritizing safety. It may not feel as serious because chances are, if you're heading out on a watercraft, you're doing it purely for fun. Which brings us to people who drink on boats and don't correlate that to drinking and driving a car.
It's like taking the driving test with sunglasses on at night; your ability to focus and react plummets. This is why boating under the influence is just as dangerous, if not more so, than driving drunk.
Yes, having an open container on a boat in Texas is legal. What is not legal is for the person operating the boat to knock back a few. A watercraft driver could lose their driver's license, face a fine, jail time, and ruin lives, all for boating while intoxicated (BWI.)
Just like anyone operating a vehicle on land, someone operating a boat is considered legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol level is 0.08 or greater.
OK, so you're an experienced boater. You can traverse the reservoir with ease. It's become like second nature. I see you shaking your head that nothing could phase you.
But it's not that simple. Exposure to noise, vibration, sun, glare, wind and the motion of the water all affect boat operators and passengers, according to BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.
"Research shows that hours of exposure to boating stressors produces a kind of a fatigue, or "boater's hypnosis" which slows reaction time almost as much as if you were legally drunk. Adding alcohol or drugs to boating stress-factors intensifies their affects - each drink multiplies your accident risk."
- BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water
So, how exactly does alcohol have an impact? According to BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, when a boater or passenger drinks, the following occurs:
- Cognitive abilities and judgment deteriorate, making it harder to process information, assess situations, and make good choices.
- Physical performance is impaired - evidenced by balance problems, lack of coordination, and increased reaction time.
- Vision is affected, including decreased peripheral vision, reduced depth perception, decreased night vision, poor focus, and difficulty in distinguishing colors (particularly red and green).
- Inner ear disturbances can make it impossible for a person who falls into the water to distinguish up from down.
- Alcohol creates a physical sensation of warmth - which may prevent a person in cold water from getting out before hypothermia sets in.
Alcohol is one of the main causes of boating accidents in the state, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. A boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration above .10 percent is estimated to be more than 10 times as likely to die in a boating accident than an operator with zero blood alcohol concentration, according to BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.
And worst of all, boating while intoxicated can shatter someone's life, even when they weren't the one breaking the law.
Law enforcement officers in Texas have the authority to stop and board any vessel. They can check for compliance with boating safety regulations and conduct sobriety tests. Texas law establishes the following penalties for BWI, according to Boat-ed.com.
- First conviction carries a fine of up to $2,000 and/or jail time of up to 180 days.
- Second conviction carries a fine of up to $4,000 and/or jail time of up to one year.
- Third conviction carries a fine of up to $10,000 and/or jail time of 2–10 years.
Creating a safe and enjoyable boating experience for everyone starts with recognizing your vessel as a powerful machine. Recreational boaters who prioritize responsible operation contribute to a positive boating culture.
Enjoy the water this summer. But make sure everyone else gets the chance to do the same.