.png)
ATTENTION ALL BOATIES!!!!
Whether you are going fishing, skiing, diving or just cruising, when you mix alcohol with boating the consequences can be fatal.
In a boat, the combination of wind, waves and the sun can all magnify the effects of alcohol and negatively impact your judgement and skills. This applies to everyone on board, the skipper and the passengers.
New laws mean it is illegal for skippers to have drugs in their system or blow .05 or more for alcohol. Limits and penalties are the same if you’re on the road or on the water. Be a responsible skipper and enjoy our waterways safely.
The Western Australian Marine Act 1982 sets limits for blood alcohol or illicit substances for skippers and allows drug and alcohol testing on WA waterways. Skippers navigating a vessel are subject to the same drug and alcohol limits and penalties as those in place on WA roads.
For enquiries and questions please email: marinealcohol@transport.wa.gov.au
The laws:
Offences target unsafe operation of vessels;
Department of Transport (DoT) and WA Police Force officers are able to test skippers for drugs or alcohol;
There are limits for levels of blood alcohol or drugs when navigating a vessel; and
Increased penalties apply for skippers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The laws align with jurisdictions across Australia and deliver a consistent safety message to skippers and drivers.
What vessels will the laws apply to?
The laws apply to all types of recreational vessels including personal water craft, sailboats, dinghies and tenders.
The laws also apply to some types of motorised craft, such as electric hydrofoil boards.
A person operating any kind of vessel could be subject to alcohol and drug testing if they are involved in an incident.
It is not intended to conduct testing on people operating non-motorised craft such as paddle craft, windsurfers or kite boards.
Drug and alcohol limits
The blood alcohol content limit is 0.05 and graduated penalties for being above this limit align with road laws in WA, including 0.05, 0.08 and 0.15.
The prescribed illicit drugs captured by the laws align to the “Road Traffic Act 1974” and the “Road Traffic (Drug Driving)” Regulations 2007 and cover a range of substances to:
cannabis;
methamphetamine (ice or speed); and
MDMA (ecstasy).
Stay Afloat, Don’t Drink and Boat Credit – Department of Transport Marine Safety. For more information, please visit the Department of Transport website.
Comments