Boating Safe and Sober
By Marine Deputy Schutte
The most common type of violations seen on Pend Oreille County waterways are those where the vessel owner fails to register their watercraft and those that don’t carry the proper equipment on board their vessel. Compliance with these regulations has been steadily improving over the last three years with a steady decline in citations. For example, only seven criminal citations were written for expired vessel registration in 2005. In 2004, twenty-five criminal citations were written for expired vessel registration.
Boating under the influence is always our top enforcement priority. Alcohol is a contributing factor in many boating accidents that result in injuries and/or death. Boaters sometimes fail to realize that a boat does NOT operate the same as a car. Boaters drive a vessel in a different environment than a car and therefore stopping distances and steering characteristics are completely different. Add to this diminished judgment as a result of alcohol consumption, and exposure to weather concerns, and you have a recipe for an accident waiting to happen.
As a reminder, the laws for boating under the influence are the same as for operating a vehicle under the influence. If a boat operator is stopped while operating a vessel on the water and the Marine Patrol Deputy determines that they are under the influence, they will be arrested and charged with Boating under the Influence. The penalty for this could be 90 days in jail and $ 1000.00 fine or both.
The Marine Patrol promotes safety and well-being for all residents and visitors to Diamond Lake, as such, please boat safe and sober and have a fun filled summer.
Follow the Links below for the Boating Ordinances
NEW: Mandantory Boating/Safety Education Ordinance
Pend Oreille County Boating Safety Ordinance No. 2001-01 |
