Not such a bad piece of legislation

In a medical exam I sat more than 20 years ago, one of the questions asked was about a diabetic on insulin who felt the onset of a "hypo" while driving and specifically the question posed was about what he should do. Pulling over to side of the road, eating something sweet and waiting to get better was wrong. In order not to be liable for any accident that might occur while the brain not functioning properly with no sugar, it was necessary for driver to prove that he's not in charge of vehicle. Apparently, this meant that he had to pull over, stop engine, and get into back seat of car. (Oh, and remember to eat some sugar). So I guess your motorhomey should be OK sloshed in the back if properly parked. Pretty hard for diabetic peeps to do all that when acutely hypoglycaemic, though.
 
Re: Let\'s have a sense of perspective here

Excuse me, but I am pretty much teetotal, the odd glass of wine with a meal.

I am in some ways happy with this law, as a smoker who has been persecuted to the glee of many on here. Now this law is proposed, like the red diesel hike, I say bring it on, it does not affect me in the slightest, why should I lift a finger or brow to support others.

I hope they ban drinking next, then buying second homes then then...
 
Re: Let\'s have a sense of perspective here

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So I guess she might be Navigating the boat in future - and you're just a passenger .... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]That's the idea - even put her name on the log as "skipper" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
It could be worse. Here's the situation in Australia (one state at least, but they are similar)

You have to have a license to operate virtually any vessel.

There is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 g/lite.

They can do random breathtesting. (Although in practice I have never headr of a yacht being stopped - only power boats).

If you are caught over the limit, you lose your license, not just for boats but for driving as well. And vice versa.

A nanny state in the UK? You haven't started yet!
 
To be honest if i am pi55ed i can still operate our vessel far better than swmbo or say a sober guest/friend etc /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
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To be honest if i am pi55ed i can still operate our vessel far better than swmbo or say a sober guest/friend etc /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

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A lot of car drivers used to think that way........ /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
You must agree though... if we had say 4 pints we would still be safer than jo public just jumping in a boat and trying to use it!
 
What utter tosh!

Bit like saying you'd drive a car better after 4 pints than someone whos never driven a car............
 
There is a difference between getting drunk and having a few beers or glasses of wine. With the latter I'd probably be over the limit but imho not a danger to other mariners. whereas on the road it would be a completely different matter.

The two are not and should not be compared.
 
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They can do random breathtesting. (Although in practice I have never heard of a yacht being stopped - only power boats).

[/ QUOTE ]I'd go for that - only stop and breathalyze MoBos, speedboats and PWC (ab)users - Rag & stick (real) sailors should be exempt /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif and on that note I'm off for a few /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif then a wee potter about...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
Re: Let\'s have a sense of perspective here

If I cause harm to others by my negligence (being drunk in charge of a vessel is surely negligent) then there are plenty of sanctions under the existing laws. What I really object to is the right (which this measure may create) of another set of beaurocrats to board my vessel and inquire in to the conduct of my private life. I propose the following response:-
"Yes I understand that you have a right to board my vessel but I must insist that all persons so boarding comply strictly with our health and safety policy. Under the terms of that policy boarding at sea is not permissible so please accompany me to the nearest sheltered port. Once in port all borders must attend a one hour safety breifing with the master of this vessel. They must then read and sign a copy of our safety policy (which runs to about six pages). I am sure that you will agree that this is all in the inerests of improving saftey on the water for all."
 
I also think a look at the class of boats to come under this law deserves attention - over 7m and doing more than 7 knots.
So, an 18ft speedboat doing 30kts is ok, then? Could it be the that should there be any attempt at enforceability, it will be the yachtie racing along at 7.2 knots back to his berth on a sunday afternoon that is harangued as he is the easier one to catch ??
 
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So you'll be happy to see a killer given 150 hours community service, instead?

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So, your solution to poor sentencing by the courts is to bring a whole raft of new legislation along with the people employed to police drink boating.

There are about four active threads discussing this issue and we have already established that more people die walking in the Lake District per year than die in drink related boating accidents in ten years. So, why don't we licence walkers?

If the courts are not applying proportional and effective sentences shoot the judges, not the boaters.
 
One of the effects of acohol comsumption is the effect it can have on reaction and thought processes. I would suggest that most sailing boats are amongst the slowest convayances around (mine certainly is) so quick reactions are not as critical as in a 20ft power boat. Yat under this law I can be prosecuted but the driver of a fast rib or speed boat under 7m can't?

Who the hell came up with this stupid idea?????????????????
 
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under this law I can be prosecuted but the driver of a fast rib or speed boat under 7m can't?

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There seems to be a lot of confusion about this. If a boat is under 7m and not capable of exceeding 7knts, it's excluded. However, if it's capable of more than 7knts, it is included and can be prosecuted. So, many small tenders with large outboards capable of more than 7knts, would be included in the legislation
 
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