Regal LS4C, Owner'S Manual, Page: 36 / 210

36
Boating & Alcohol
Operating a vessel while
intoxicated became a
specific federal offense
effective in 1988. The
ruling set federal stan-
dards for determining
when an individual is intoxicated. If the blood alco-
hol content (BAC) is .10% (.08 in some states) or
higher for operators of recreational vessels being
used only for pleasure are subject to a civil penalty
up to $1,000 or criminal penalty up to $5,000, one
year imprisonment or both. In some states the fines
and imprisonment may increase significantly.
The effects of alcohol and drugs account for the
highest single cause of marine accidents and
deaths. Most deaths in boating accidents occur
when someone falls into the water. Balance is one
of the first things you lose when drinking alcohol or
under the influence of drugs. The problem arises
out of not knowing your balance is restricted.
Overall vision is reduced by alcohol especially at
night, along with double or blurred vision. Periph-
eral vision is lessened which restricts seeing ves-
sels or objects on the side. Also, color awareness
decreases especially with red and green which
happen to be the colors of boat navigation lights,
buoys, and channel markers.
Alcohol will greatly increase your heat loss so it
increases the effects of hypothermia. Finally, your
ability to make correct judgements in emergency
situations is greatly reduced. Alcohol takes away
the brains ability to process information quickly
and delays a persons reaction time.
Don’t drink and drive!
Alcohol Myths & Facts:
Myth: Beer is less intoxicating than other alcoholic
beverages.
Fact: One 12 oz. can of beer has about the same
amount of alcohol as a 5oz. glass of wine or a shot
of liquor.
Myth: Black coffee, fresh air, and a shower will
sober the effects of alcohol.
Fact: After consuming alcohol time is the only thing
that will sober you up. Our bodies average burning
1 oz. of alcohol every hour. If a person is drunk, it
will take a person seven or more hours to sober up.
Myth: Telling if a person is too drunk to operate a
vessel is easy.
Fact: Many experienced drinkers have learned to
compensate for the visual effects of alcohol and
can disguise their drunk condition.
Myth: You can judge if you are fit to operate a boat.
Fact: Judgement is one of the first elements you
lose when drinking.