OutdoorNebraska

28 ■ Chapter 4 Alcohol and Drugs Nebraska law prohibits operating a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment and slow reaction time. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities. Read more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol in Chapter 5. ◆ Anyone who operates or attempts to operate a vessel is deemed to have given consent to an alcohol and/or drug test. Any person who refuses to submit to a preliminary breath test will be found guilty of a Class III misdemeanor. ◆ Nebraska law states that a person is considered to be operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs if he or she: • Has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater or… • Is under the influence of any controlled substance or any other drug, or any combination of alcohol, controlled substance, or drugs that renders that person incapable of operating safely ◆ Any person who is operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is guilty of Boating Under the Influence (BUI), a Class II misdemeanor. The penalty for BUI includes a fine up $1,000, jail time up to six months and the loss of boating privileges for six months. ◆ If the court places a person on probation or suspends the sentence, a person may not operate a vessel for 60 days from the date of the order. The court may also require a convicted person to attend and pay for an alcoholism treatment program as a term of probation. Obstructing Navigation Vessel operators should always be considerate of other vessel operators even when stopping to anchor or moor. Keep in mind that it is illegal to: ◆ Operate any vessel in such a way that it will unnecessarily interfere with the safe navigation of other vessels on the waterway ◆ Anchor a vessel in the traveled portion of a river or channel that will prevent or interfere with any other vessel passing through the same area ◆ Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (other than a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any other navigational aid placed on public waters by proper authorities ◆ Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigational aid Homeland Security Restrictions Recreational boaters have a role in keeping our waterways safe and secure. ◆ Observe and avoid all security zones, including restricted areas near dams and power plants. Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel. Violators can expect a swift and severe response. Areas of Impairment Due to Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) moor To keep a vessel in place by setting anchor or tying the vessel to a fixed object or buoy Avoid all security zones and restricted areas. Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Because you can drink faster than your system can burn off the alcohol, there is an increasing level of alcohol in your blood. This level is referred to as Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). The best thing you can do for your safety and the safety of your passengers and other boaters is simple ... Don't Drink and Boat! 100 YARdS—KEEP OUT! 500 YARdS—OPERATE AT MINIMUM SPEEd ◆ Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all suspicious activities to local authorities or the U.S. Coast Guard. Copyright © 2014 Boat Ed, www.boat-ed.com

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