The .05 limit when boating

[vp3]

I was at the meeting the Commodore is talking about. I consider it to be B.S. what was said. Lets face facts a copper will book you if and when he feels the urge no matter what the actual law states. The law can be read in many diffrent ways it depends how much money you have got to throw at it. I think the .05 limit is also B.S. as it doesn't even touch the sides when I have a drink.
I do believe boating and drink do not mix and people that do are "bloody idiots"
Cheers Ian

[moondancer]

I have no problem with having a FEW drinks whilst safely anchored for the night, but have seen (and had problems 'rescuing' too many dickheads who were obviously over the limit. I'm quite OK with the .05 legislation applying to on road and on water - and yes, I agree that on water, anchored where you MIGHT have to move means you are still in charge of the vessel! At a designated marina/ mooring point etc. is, for many, the equivalent of being in your driveway, or for some, your home - just stay there!

[Dignity]

I have no problem with having a FEW drinks whilst safely anchored for the night,

What does that mean?
I have spent many an evening down South Stradbroke (Tipplers etc)way and there have been many vesels that are so called "safely anchored" only to drift into other vesels as a storm hits late afternoon ore early evening in summer because either the owners weren't there in most cases were and pissed to the eyeballs. The water police are quite vigilant at times and at others noticed by their absence but they will pull up boaties who are on a vessel anchored but no body is sober aboard.

Think I am being overboard, try having boats (houseboats are the worst) smash into your vessel while you have taken all the precautions, including having friends ashore that are sober in case of emergencies - one of the benefits of belonging to a boat club.

Seen it too many times to ignore it. If it's not in your driveway, a dedicated mooring etc when it comes to the booze brigade I have no sympathies if you get caught, and I enjoy more beers than the next guy (or wine, or spirits or,,,,,,,,,hell, is it alcoholic).

Sam now where did i put that glass of red

[moondancer]

on 7:50pm Today, moondancer wrote:I have no problem with having a FEW drinks whilst safely anchored for the night,

Dignity wrote :
What does that mean?

What I mean is in fact what you are saying. By a few, I mean under the limit - literally a couple - just to enjoy the moment! (As against total abstinence!)

I've shared your very experience around Tipplers, and other places - not fun! But I also recognize that boating is a leisure pursuit, and in our culture, that usually goes with munchies and drinks - but the message that some dont get is that of enjoying yourself responsibly, (and within legal limits)

Enjoy your red! Mine's waitning too!!

[Gazza]

Tell me ,are you "banned" from driving a boat ,if you lose your Drivers Lic. ???

i.e. does someone know a reg/law that specifically "says so" ???

p.s. I understand a,b,c,etc "class" licences....
what is a "boat" classed as.......think it through 8)

[bay_firey]

Gazza
Yes
If you go for DUI you lose all your privelages to drive.
As you should

[Gazza]

Hi Mark, putting that .05 issue to oneside....

What about ,losing your car lic. for excessive points ???
Is there any reference in regs/law ,that "cancel" our Virtual(for life) Boat Lic..... ???

i.e. "reads" in black & white

[bootyinblue]

This one has always been a bit of a misconception and obviously not even the water police have a consistent understanding or application of it, does appear they have individual interpretations.

If there's a possible intent then that is generally enough and especially if one is simply anchored as opposed to moored as one should always assume that when anchored for some unknown reason there could be a requirement to up anchor (at anytime) and move be it weather or for whatever reason.

Skippers should adopt the 8 hours bottle to throttle policy.

Cheers, Kerry.

'WITHOUT PREJUDICE'

Kerry,

Just a quick query whether you have got any proof that 'not even the Water Police have a consistant understanding or application?'

I will assure you that all Police have an understanding of this law as its taught hand in hand with motor vehicle offences as its contained, as correctly pointed out in s79 Of TORUMS.

There are elements of this offence which need to be satisfied for a successful prosecution, just like all other offences and if the subject vessel is not berthed in a marina or jetty, then someone who is appropriately licenced for the vessel must remain under the limit applicable for their licence.

[Feral]

It does not really make a difference what the limit is set at, or where you are, you would have to be deaf dumb and blind not to know about the limit.

If you want to push the boundary and have more than your "3 in the first hour and one every hour thereafter" whilst anchored up, well then thank you, its people like you who make "voluntary taxation" contributions through fines that keep my taxes down !

[Relaxed]

vp3
Lets face facts a copper will book you if and when he feels the urge no matter what the actual law states.

vp3 if everyone thinks the same as you it would be sad and sorry place to live.

With stupid comments like that no wonder the job of policing is as hard as it is, don't do the wrong thing don't get booked, it's that simple.

Andy.

[shaman]

If you want to push the boundary and have more than your "3 in the first hour and one every hour thereafter" !

Won't 3 standard drinks in 1 hr put you over .05 and one every hr after keep you there???

Or have I been ripping myself off all these years?????

If planning a big day or sleepout on the boat I only pack Lites and after 4 you feel that bloated you slow right down............................

[gawby]

vp3.
I endorse the comment made by Relaxed.
I work with people that have the same comment as you about police. They get wacked all the time and wonder why????????????
This old wives tale about how many drinks you can have in the first hour and so on in the next hours is just rubbish.
Everbodys makeup is different.
Some people can have three drinks and be smashed and be way over the limit.
Someone else have three drinks and not move the needle.
I know this for a fact and am not about to explain myself but if you want to test yourself against the odds don't come back on here and knock the coppers for knocking you off.
I have over the years put bodies in the morgues in all different states, burnt beyond recognition and mangle beyond belief.
Drink driving was a major part in these instances and as far as i am concerned if you drink and drive you get what you deserve.
Drink at home and not on the water or whilst driving a car and stay alive.
Graeme

[roz]

Won't 3 standard drinks in 1 hr put you over .05 and one every hr after keep you there???

Or have I been ripping myself off all these years?????

If planning a big day or sleepout on the boat I only pack Lites and after 4 you feel that bloated you slow right down............................

Embarrassed Billy,

If you don't know your limit simply don't drink and drive, get someone else with a boat licence to. Simple common sense.

r.

[Reel Nauti]

I'd just like to add to this topic that .05 is NOT the limit. At .05 you can be booked by the police. There are plenty who will testify to this. The limit is actually .049. If you're over that, your gone.

Cheers

Dave

[dogsbody]

Yes i can second that i was done in 89 for .05. 9 months and 450 bucks later hard lesson. How did a fool and his money get together in the first place?

Dave.