2013 MasterCraft Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge • Page 1-13
U.S. Coast Guard data shows that in boating deaths involving alcohol use, over half the
victims capsized their boats and/or fell overboard.
Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land. The marine environ-
ment of motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray accelerate a drinker’s
impairment. These stressors cause fatigue that makes a boat operator’s coordination,
judgment and reaction time decline even faster when using alcohol.
As a result of alcohol’s eects, a boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration
of approximately .10 percent is estimated to be more than 10 times as likely to die in a
boating accident than an operator with zero blood alcohol concentration. Passengers
are also at greatly increased risk for injury or death, especially if they are also using alco-
hol.
The Coast Guard and every state have stringent penalties for violating BUI laws.
Penalties can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges,
and jail time. The Coast Guard and the states cooperate fully in enforcement in order to
remove impaired boat operators from the waters.
In waters that are overseen solely by the states, the states have the authority to
enforce their own BUI statutes. In state waters that are also subject to U.S. jurisdiction,
there is concurrent jurisdiction. That means if a boater is apprehended under Federal law
in these waters, the Coast Guard will (unless precluded by state law) request that state
law enforcement ocers take the intoxicated boater into custody. Depending on the
circumstances, the operator may be arrested. Penalties vary, but in many jurisdictions
operators found guilty of BUI can expect a civil penalty of at least $1,000 or criminal
penalty of $5,000, one year of imprisonment or both. Civil lawsuits in cases of property
damage or injury/death to others can result in significantly more serious penalties.
Intoxication from drugs, including legal prescription drugs, is an equally serious
matter and is dealt with as seriously as alcohol.
Skiing and Wakeboarding Safety
Skiers and wakeboarders are obligated to be as aware of the fundamental safety
rules as operators. If you are new to water sports, you should seek certified training
before starting. You may find it especially helpful to join a local water-sports club, if avail-
able, and the U.S.W.S.A. (United States Water Skiing Association).
• Always remember that the majority of water-skiing and wakeboarding injuries are
the result of impacts with other objects, so always look where you are going and be
aware of what is going on around you.
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