New York's new law

[ricksrster]

Boaters Now Face Tougher Laws
by Rich Turner
Published Aug 06, 2006

Starting Sunday, the punishment for drinking and boating is just as severe now as drinking and driving.

The first conviction could land you in jail for up to a year, with a fine of up to $1,000.

Some boaters say the new law will make the waters safer. "Boating should be relaxing," said boater Kathryn Risso. "You shouldn't have to be watching every boat that comes by in the hopes that they have their boats under control."

The state Legislature passed the bill in June and Governor Pataki signed it into law last month.

ll

 

[Link]

Re: New York's new law

Washington state has been like that for at least a couple decades. (I think)
A friend got ticked off at his wife one Sunday over football.
Took his cheese head hat, a portable tv, lots of beer and his 12 ft boat out on a lake and floated around watching the game.
Got nailed (rightfully IMO) at the dock.
This was in 1985 I think. I think BA rate was 1.5 back then
First and only time for him.
To not have it on his record he had to go to drunk school and attend AA meetings for two years. (what a joke)

Went wifeless and boatless for the next 17 years! (had nothing to do with the DWI) But happened at the same time.

Now has new wife, new boat and well 21 years later last month had two beers on the way home from work and got nailed for .09 in a .08 state.

Don't know whats going to happen this time around.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: New York's new law

Sme people drive like idiots on the water when they are sober. Reckles driving in a car is punished severely. They should enforce boating laws the same.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New York's new law

Now that the law is in place...... enforcement will be the key.

I wonder what type of "field" testing the part time water police will be doing? What appears good on paper may not work until there is an incident. Once there is an incident the BWI will just be added on.

 

[12Footer]

Re: New York's new law

Now that the law is in place...... enforcement will be the key.

I wonder what type of "field" testing the part time water police will be doing? What appears good on paper may not work until there is an incident. Once there is an incident the BWI will just be added on.

ROFLMO. I just got the picture in my head... "Ok, Jesus .... Outta the boat." dd
Florida has had that law on the books since 1990. With all the boats down here, coupled with people vacationing , drinking and boating has been a major problem. The law helped, but the fines paid are re-directed somehow, because the water police and FFWC size has not grown any since 1990 (at least, not that I can see). The only time they get put additional forces on the water is July 4th, Labor Day, and durring the offshore powerboat races in May.

 

[tommays]

Re: New York's new law

On Long Island sober people Tee bone each other on a regular basis during perfect boating weather

I think they need to do the samething they did with the PWC problem

Its just time to make training mandatory as i see to many people every week who dont even seem to know basic right of way rules :devil:

Tommays

 

[rodbolt]

Re: New York's new law

I dunno
I see it every day.
just because you can finance a rig dont make ya a helmsman.
I deal with water idiots on a daily basis.

 

[LFK]

Re: New York's new law

So....those two beers I take with me when I go out fishing for the day are a no-no?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: New York's new law

Only if you drink them back to back......
No shortage of people with boats far bigger than their brains out here, as well.......
I do think that their is enough enforcement in my area though.....
Especiallly with the Coast Guard doing random searches in the name of homeland security around these parts.......JK

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: New York's new law

So if you're anchored up for the night and you have a few brews before going to sleep that's illegal? What about if you have a slip at a marina? Still illegal?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: New York's new law

At the slip in the marina? Probably not....
At anchor, yes!
& the jack booted thugs are everywhere! :/.......JK

 

[Boomyal]

Re: New York's new law

Pshaw! I want to be grandfathered in. Been drinkin' and boatin' for nigh onto 3.5 decades. A bit less now than then. Never had an accident, never had a close call, never put a scratch on my boat or any other object. That goes for all of my boating buddies of yore as well. We had houseboats, we had speed boats, we boated every other weekend. We used to haul the empties off in 40 gallon plastic trash bags. Just got back from a 3 hour fun trip on the river. Had two beers.

Just goes to show you, a few bad apples ruin it for everyone.

Ok, let 'er rip. I can hear the incoming now.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: New York's new law

It's been the same offence in CT for a while too....i saw a operator get cuffed for boating DUI last year, the problem is DEP law enforcment is already streched thin, where I freshwater boat the town has there own patrol boat.....

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: New York's new law

Pshaw! I want to be grandfathered in. Been drinkin' and boatin' for nigh onto 3.5 decades. A bit less now than then. Never had an accident, never had a close call, never put a scratch on my boat or any other object. That goes for all of my boating buddies of yore as well. We had houseboats, we had speed boats, we boated every other weekend. We used to haul the empties off in 40 gallon plastic trash bags. Just got back from a 3 hour fun trip on the river. Had two beers.

Just goes to show you, a few bad apples ruin it for everyone.

Ok, let 'er rip. I can hear the incoming now.

I resemble that statement so..........................me too!!

 

[Fishin' Jeff]

Re: New York's new law

I sure catch a lot more fish and spill a lot less beer when I go out without any beer....Karma?

 

[POINTER94]

Re: New York's new law

Guess I would need to read the law in its entirerty. But if someone wants to get smashed at the dock, have at er. If someone wants to get smashed at anchor and are anchored legally and doesn't operate the vessel, great.

Anyone who operates a boat while smashed is a danger to us all. But I would agree that there is a whole lot more ignorant or rude boaters than drunk ones. Or maybe I am just missing it. I also believe that Blood Alcohol Levels are set due to politics rather than safety.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: New York's new law

Boom, I agreee.......
I don't know how the bill is worded, however, I'd wager there better be a somewhat sober person on board even if you are at anchor.....
I think that is just common sense.....
Maybe not as low as .08....
Any veteran imbiber knows .08 is child's play!
It's all about profit in the name of public safety, IMHO....
A kin to the stupid seatbelt laws..............JK

 

[roscoe]

Re: New York's new law

Some boaters say the new law will make the waters safer. "Boating should be relaxing," said boater Kathryn Risso. "You shouldn't have to be watching every boat that comes by in the hopes that they have their boats under control."

ll

YES, Yes You SHOULD be watching to see that every boat that comes by, is under control. !!!

FYI, no open alcohol allowed in the boat, in Ontario.

Not to say it doesn't happen, but its not allowed.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: New York's new law

In Ontario they are very serious about the "no open containers" law. A friend and I were boarded in the St. Lawrence last fall by the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) about 8:00AM and they actually smelled our coffee thermos to see if it was spiked. Their law is different that you can't even have alcohol on board unless your boat is a certain length and has a head built in. I love to fish in Canada but their laws are making it difficult to cough up $60 some dollars to buy a license. I certainly don't think a person should be impaired driving anything but I do like to have a beer or 2 while I'm fishing.

 

[Ron G]

Re: New York's new law

Pshaw! I want to be grandfathered in. Been drinkin' and boatin' for nigh onto 3.5 decades. A bit less now than then. Never had an accident, never had a close call, never put a scratch on my boat or any other object. That goes for all of my boating buddies of yore as well. We had houseboats, we had speed boats, we boated every other weekend. We used to haul the empties off in 40 gallon plastic trash bags. Just got back from a 3 hour fun trip on the river. Had two beers.

Just goes to show you, a few bad apples ruin it for everyone.

Ok, let 'er rip. I can hear the incoming now.

I resemble that statement so..........................me too!!

Better grandfather me in too.