The Risks of Drinking While Boating

Boating on a nice, sunny day is a great way to enjoy summertime. But while the feel of the wind rushing through your hair may be inviting, you should always be aware of the inherent risks as well. After all, you can’t have an enjoyable time unless you know how to keep yourself and your passengers safe.

One of the easiest risks to avoid is drinking while boating. Much like drinking and driving, operating any type of motorized vehicle while under the influence could have dangerous consequences. If there’s booze onboard your boat, always be sure that at least two people who know how to operate the boat remain sober at all times. Why two? It helps ensure that someone can safely operate the boat, even if the other becomes sick or otherwise incapacitated.

Boating has some unique circumstances that may not be experienced by drivers of cars. For instance, the rocking of the waves and vibration of the engine can cause unsteady footing, which only exacerbates the effects of intoxication.

Not to mention, you can quickly become dehydrated under the sun, which can quicken the pace of becoming intoxicated if you’re drinking. Some people even consume more alcohol—as opposed to switching to water—if they start to feel thirsty.

With these circumstances combined, things can quickly get out of hand if an intoxicated person tries to operate a boat. Throw in obstacles like buoys, docks and other boats and you might be setting the stage for disaster.

Unlike on land where you can sober up at a friend’s place or call a cab, help isn’t as readily available while on the water. So if you get into a drunken boat accident, you may be waiting quite a while for help to arrive. The best thing you can do for yourself and your passengers is to remain sober for the duration of your boat excursion.