Drink Legislation - a survey

[Jezlyn]

The likelihood is that people are responding to the question in its literal sense. You are probably over the drink drive limit of 80mg per 100ml of blood after just two pints. This of course doesn't mean that you are drunk and incapable after such amount, just that your reactions will be impaired. Of course there is a big difference between sailing along on the open sea at five knots and being in contol of a ton of metal moving at 60mph on our congested roads! Hence, no doubt the limitations of a speed of 7 knots and above.

 

[Sixpence]

Jules , I'd hardly call it my norm to send links but that's already been done in the similar discussion in mobo , and he has yet to reply

 

[mel80]

[ QUOTE ]


I don't agree that "you need to draw a line somewhere" - it should apply to all watercraft, just like the drink-driving laws apply to all vehicles, including bicycles.

Rick

[/ QUOTE ]
But that would just get silly. For example, it would make floating around on a lilo illegal after a few pints! Bikes can travel very fast, so it makes sense to include them in the drink drive legistlation. It would, however, not make much sense to extend that legislation to pedistrians (who can also use the roads).

I presume that there's also an element of common sense in trying to reduce the impact on us a bit. i.e. they recognise that we often end up on moorings or at anchor and may want to get back to the boat after a couple of pints. That seems like a reasonable compromise between public safety and freedom to me.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Har har, I'm not - assume Licensing cost would be a minimal administrative fee for once off registration or operators license, something in the region of €10-20 seems reasonable given that most of this can be done over the internet with minimal state resources needed to man a scheme.

 

[oceanfroggie]

[ QUOTE ]
The more I read of the prevalence of alcohol being consumed at the helm, the more I see a need for a clamp down.

[/ QUOTE ]I agree - I smell a raw nerve being disturbed! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[ QUOTE ]
maybe they have been damaged by social drunks in the past.

[/ QUOTE ]Sometimes, but there will always be loud louts and thugs who make a racket, but if their tied up safely in a marina they can only harm themselves, btw where many drink related drownings occur late at night.[ QUOTE ]
What is this UK dependence on alcohol to have a good time?

[/ QUOTE ]Yes I never understood why some folk are unable to have a good time without the alcohol factor - an indemic problem in the subconcious culture. I thought that was a uniqely Irish problem, but not so, you won't find youngsters vomiting and rolling around the streets of inner cities every night in countries like France, Germany, Holland, Italy, etc (except for tourists) or Ireland (well just a few in Templebar). You can have a ball of a time with or without a few drinks! We all seem to have been conditioned otherwise (ie brainwashing, marketting and the sheep factor - baa, baa) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Sea Devil]

[ QUOTE ]
It's very simple.<ul type="square">
[*]We are not allowed to drink and drive a road vehicle
[*]Nor are we allowed to drink and take the controls of an aircraft
[*]Nor drive a train
[*]Nor a ship[/list]
So why the hell should leisure skippers be allowed to drink and helm? There is no logic to the RYAs position, it's just that leisure boaters have become used to enjoying booze on boats. IMHO, skippers should not be allowed to exceed road limits. It's illogical

[/ QUOTE ]

I think your post makes excellent sense. I certainly enjoy a drink or two or more but when sailing I don't touch it till the anchor is down or tied up...

 

[rickp]

Do you think the legislation will apply whilst at anchor or on a buoy? I think its pretty clear that once tied up in a marina then you're free to imbibe - but I've seen nothing to see you could do that at anchor. You wouldn't expect the captain of a ship to be in charge and over the limit whilst at anchor - so will the same apply to leisure vessels?

Rick

 

[webcraft]

We will all need to carry a liberal supply of tin tacks . . .

 

[Woodentop]

[ QUOTE ]
It seems that there is no problem and yet as I write 26% of respondents have been over the limit whilst being in command. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Over what limit ?

The safe limit for driving a car on the road is higher than that for flying a 747 over London.

26% of respondents have been over the limit for car driving but under the limit for bicycle riding. And we are talking about boats.

 

[Woodentop]

[ QUOTE ]
It's very simple.<ul type="square">
[*]We are not allowed to drink and drive a road vehicle
[*]Nor are we allowed to drink and take the controls of an aircraft
[*]Nor drive a train
[*]Nor a ship[/list]
So why the hell should leisure skippers be allowed to drink and helm? There is no logic to the RYAs position, it's just that leisure boaters have become used to enjoying booze on boats. IMHO, skippers should not be allowed to exceed road limits. It's illogical

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes but we are allowed to walk when drunk.

It is illogical to apply limits designed for 100mph cars on narrow congested roads to walkers on a country path.

So where does a small, slow boat on open water fit your arguement ?

 

[jimi]

well its all ok if you're eberspacher is working and you're warm if not a drink is vital and should be a solid defence

 

[oceanfroggie]

[ QUOTE ]
So where does a small, slow boat on open water fit your arguement ?

[/ QUOTE ]Different blood/alcohol levels perhaps. "small slow boat" has to moor sometime, and deal with traffic. I understand your valid point about the different tolerances for road traffic v's boat traffic, hence levels. It's not just an issue if collision avoidance though, it's also an issus about the skipper being in charge of a vessel underway making way and the safety and wellfare of the crew too, so skipper needs to be sharp. Tied up safely at a mooring for the night or safely anchored is I agree quite another matter. In relation to walking, the current law does not permit one to be "drunk and disorderly" even on the pavement, foot path or in public spaces. As society gets more affluent and the cost of boating comes down, and larger volumns of new folk discover and enjoy the water, it is reasonable for the state to legislate sensible precautions to protect us from our own behaviour, hence speed limits on roads, etc.

 

[Slow_boat]

I recall reading that the numbers of people, certainly youngsters, taking up sailing was falling. May the 'newly afluent' are buying mobo's cos they're easier to drive?
The mobo mpg and deisel tax is going to a bit of a surprise, isn't it?

 

[oceanfroggie]

Yes it could. Here in ROI motor boats, especially smaller sports boats, sports cruisers and RIBs are selling like wild fire. It's been relectless for the past 4 years and most of them are being bought by 1st timers!