Boating Safe and Sober

Marine Deputy Schutte

(Reprinted from July 2006 Newsletter)

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.

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 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. Please boat safe and sober and have a fun filled summer.

“There will be Zero Tolerance for infractions! Fines, No warnings will be given this year. This is a serious matter per Under Sheriff, Michael Cress.”