age has dropped in some states because of
public awareness and enforcement of laws
regarding boating under the influence.
According to federal law, you are
intoxicated if your blood alcohol content is
0.08% or higher. In some states the blood
alcohol standard is less than 0.08%.
Boater’s Fatigue
• Research and experience show that 4
hours of exposure to noise, vibrations,
sun, glare, wind, and other motion on the
water produces boater’s fatigue.
• Alcohol and drugs affect your judgment,
slows your reaction time, and keeps you
from thinking clearly
• Adding alcohol increases the effect,
thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
Personal Reaction Time
• Alcohol and drugs affect your judgment
and keep you from thinking clearly.
• It will take longer for your eyes, ears, and
other senses to react.
• Alcohol also reduces your ability to survive
if you fall overboard.
• Alcohol affects passengers as well as the
boat operator.
Under the Influence
• Statistics involving accidents where the
operator is under the influence of drugs
are more difficult to obtain, but these
accidents are occurring.
• Drugs are illegal regardless of the amount
of the drug present, but it is not always
clear whether a drug is affecting a person’s
competence.
• Drug testing has no established threshold
at which a person is considered to be
legally under the influence.
Remember, the skipper is responsible for
the actions of his crew.
Termination of Use
A Coast Guard boarding officer observing a
boat being operated in an especially hazardous
condition may direct the operator to
take immediate steps to correct the condi-
Section 7: Government Regulations 89
tion. This may include terminating the use
of the boat and returning it to port.
The following are typical reasons for
ordering termination of use:
• Insufficient number of Coast Guard-approved
life jackets
• Insufficient number of fire extinguishers
• Loading beyond the manufacturer’s recommended
safe-loading capacity
• Improper navigation light display
• Inadequate ventilation systems
• Fuel leakage
• Fuel in the bilge
• Improper backfire flame control
• Unsafe operation of a vessel
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSIDERATIONS
We all enjoy America’s lakes, rivers, and
coastal waters. To keep them healthy and
productive, follow good environmental
boating practices. Leave no trace includes
management of human waste and garbage
associated with food packaging. Protect
food (and things perceived as food) from
bears, rodents and other animals.
Top Ten Green Boating Tips
1. Keep your bilge clean—do not pump
oily water overboard.
2. Use bilge absorbents instead of detergents.
3. Don’t dump your sewage in confined
waters—use a holding tank.
4. Observe local and federal sewage regulations.
5. Bring your garbage home—don’t litter.
6. Use detergents sparingly—even biodegradable
cleaners are hard on the
aquatic environment.
7. When fueling, do not top off tanks.
Clean up any spilled fuel.
8. Use only paints approved for marine
use.
9. Avoid shoreline erosion—watch your
wake and propeller wash.
10. If fishing, practice catch and release.
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