Amateur sailors to be given breathalyser tests
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Article Date: 2007-06-14
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Amateur sailors are to be subjected to breathalyser tests as the government moves to crack down on the incidence of excessive alcohol consumption among pleasure boaters.
According to a report in the Telegraph, under a series of new proposals from Whitehall, non-professional sailors in charge of a vessel over 23 ft long with a speed of over seven knots are liable for the tests.
Meanwhile, the level of alcohol in the blood which will incur penalties is the same as that used for drivers - 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.
Those found to be in breach of the regulations will incur a fine of up to £5,000.
Further planned reforms would enable marina staff to prevent vessels from embarking on a journey if it is thought that the navigator is over the limit.
Declaring the government's plans "silly", Keith Jarret, the chairman of the Classic Motor Boat Association, told the Telegraph: "The test to find out whether you are over the limit on a boat will be the same as that for car drivers.
"It seems to suggest that boat owners travelling eight knots are just as much of a risk to people as a drunken lunatic speeding down the motorway at 120 mph."
Professional sailors are already subject to the regulations.
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