Charges highlight drink driving dangers
by Media Services on 6 Jul 2010
Drinking onboard might be a custom, but skippers must stay under 0.05. MIAA
A 37-year-old man was charged with drink-driving yesterday after a boating accident on the Gold Coast. A 43-year-old woman suffered extensive leg injuries when she fell off a jet ski and was hit by a cruiser on the Southport Broadwater on Sunday afternoon.
The man has been given a notice to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court.
The woman's leg was severed when she fell from a jet ski and was hit by a boat shortly before 2:30pm on Sunday. She also suffered internal and head injuries and remains in a critical condition in the Gold Coast Hospital.
According to witnesses, the woman fell from the two-person ski driven by her husband, who was doing 'manoeuvres' in front of the boat. She was then run over by a 7m cruiser carrying friends, including children.
Gold Coast water police chief Lucas Young said the accident highlighted the importance of boating safety, especially on busy local waterways where there were 35,000 registered vessels.
'It just comes back to getting the message out to vessel operators . . . (the waterway) is a great place to be, enjoy it but be safe doing it,' Senior Sergeant Young said.
Maritime Safety Qld states that 'The skipper must have a blood alcohol limit of less than 0.05, the same rules as on the road. The skipper is also responsible for the safety of the passengers and should be responsible for their alcohol consumption'.
'The effects of alcohol are enhanced while on the water due to the sun, wind, waves and constant motion. Reflexes and response times to emergencies are slowed and swimming ability deteriorates considerably.
'Skippers of recreational boats should also be aware that, when their boat is anchored, it may still be considered to be used for navigation, and the blood alcohol limit applies. The limit does not change unless the boat is securely moored in a marina, to a jetty or wharf or on a swing mooring.'
NSW Maritime warns that Random Breath Testing now applies in NSW. In its 'Don't go overboard with alcohol' campaign, the organisation advises that the blood alcohol limit on the water is the same as on the roads - 0.05%.'
More at http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Alcohol-rules.aspx
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