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Lake havasu initiates "designated operator" boater safety campaign

3K views 17 replies 15 participants last post by  New Mexico Bullet 
#1 ·
For immediate release: January 5, 2011
For more information, contact:
-- Lake Havasu Marine Association, Executive Director,
Jim Salscheider (928) 208-2442, jims@lhcma.com www.lhcma.com

LAKE HAVASU INITIATES "DESIGNATED OPERATOR" BOATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Reducing OUIs and Accidents Are the Goals for 2011 Boating Season
Lake Havasu City, AZ: One of the nation's premier fresh water boating destinations, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is confronting an age-old boating safety problem head-on; operating a recreational pleasure boat under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. In marine law enforcement parlance, the offense is known as OUI, operating under the influence. In Arizona, the maximum legal limit is .08 percent blood alcohol concentration for boat operators, the same as it is for driving an automobile.
"We're determined to significantly reduce the number of intoxicated boaters on Lake Havasu," commented Jim Salscheider, Executive Director of the Lake Havasu Marine Association, the organization that is spearheading the new "carry a designated operator" campaign. "All we're asking is that every boat designate one on-board person to be responsible for operating the boat on that day who is not going to consume an alcoholic beverage or ingest a controlled substance while on the water. It's a campaign that has been successful in reducing the number of highway accidents, now it's time for the boating community to embrace the same philosophy."
According to recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics, approximately one-third of all fatal recreational boating accidents nationwide are alcohol related. Kevin Bergersen, Law Enforcement Programs Coordinator and State Boating Law Administrator for Arizona Game and Fish said, "Boaters operating a vessel under the influence is an ongoing safety issue with all too often tragic consequences. Drunk boating is drunk driving. This grass roots effort between state law enforcement agencies, the Lake Havasu boating community and business supporters will help boat operators understand that the Arizona penalties of watercraft operation and driving a vehicle while impaired are
almost the same."
The first awareness of this new safety campaign has already begun. Six-foot by four-foot "carry a designated operator" signs have been posted at several prominent public launch ramps around Lake Havasu. "Our first sign just went up at Windsor Beach launch ramp," said Salscheider, "and will be followed by several more at other key boating ramps and facilities. The initial phase of this campaign is to create some recognition and get people thinking about being more responsible when boating. We don't want to spoil anybody's fun on-the-water, but operating a boat while impaired is a serious safety hazard. It doesn't seem like too great a sacrifice to ask just one person on-board to forego alcohol for a one day. It's certainly worth saving a life."
The "carry a designated operator" campaign will continue to accelerate as the 2011 boating season approaches. In addition to signage at major launch ramps, the program will be supported with an aggressive marketing strategy including articles, ads and press releases in prominent boating publications, local radio PSAs, consumer boat show exposure, email blasts to known boaters, website links and social networking, and support from waterfront restaurants, bars and boat rental operations.
"I'm very gratified by all the support this campaign has received in such a short period of time," remarked Salscheider. "Funding for this effort has initially come from private business. Hall of Champions boat racer, three-time World Offshore Champion and safety advocate Bob Teague of Teague Custom Marine, has graciously agreed to be our spokesperson, lending significant credibility to what we are trying to accomplish. And the cooperation by all facets of law enforcement have only strengthened our resolve to make a difference in creating a safer Lake Havasu for all boaters."
The Lake Havasu "carry a designated operator" campaign is co-sponsored by Romer Beverage Company of Lake Havasu and Teague Custom Marine, Valencia, California. Supporting agencies include: Arizona Game and Fish, Arizona State Parks, Mohave County Sheriff, Lake Havasu City Police, and San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department. Participating restaurants/bars include Pirate Cove Resort and the Turtle Grille/Nautical Beachfront Resort. "Carry a designated operator" was founded by the Lake Havasu Marine Association and is responsible for its implementation.
 
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#5 ·
This campaign has a lot of potential if taken seriously. Too many boating accidents are in someway related to driver intoxication (alcohol or drugs). Doesn't sound like it's too much to ask that one person on board is willing to be a responsible/sober boat driver for that day. The no alcohol policy for drivers has definitely taken hold at poker run events -- hope it does the same for the general boating public.
 
#6 ·
?s

First and MOST importantly, not trying to be negative towards such a campaign at all.
NOBODY want an intoxicated operator, myself included,
But I am curious...
Say a deckboat full of 10 people early afternoon. None onboard not intoxicated. Plan is to spend many hours docked or anchored. Later prior to actually moving the boat, there will be a solber driver.
There isn't a chargable offense now for the driver/crew/ crowd for not being able to present a designated driver while anchored or docked is there? Is this part of the plan?
I could just see legal questions and battles stemming from that scenario if it was part of the new program.
 
#9 · (Edited)
First and MOST importantly, not trying to be negative towards such a campaign at all.
NOBODY want an intoxicated operator, myself included,
But I am curious...
Say a deckboat full of 10 people early afternoon. None onboard not intoxicated. Plan is to spend many hours docked or anchored. Later prior to actually moving the boat, there will be a solber driver.
There isn't a chargable offense now for the driver/crew/ crowd for not being able to present a designated driver while anchored or docked is there? Is this part of the plan?
I could just see legal questions and battles stemming from that scenario if it was part of the new program.

If the person has a few drinks during the day and refrains from drinking say an hour before operating the boat that is not illegal even when driving on the road, so i guess i don't see the point in your question. As long as you are not intoxicated while operating the boat.
 
#8 ·
The new "designated operator" campaign does not change any existing law....it's just a voluntary movement to try and remind boaters that someone onboard needs to be sober when driving the boat. You can still have alcoholic beverages onboard -- it's just that one individual for that day is willing to refrain from drinking and take the responsibility of being the sober "designated operator." Anyone who has received a citation for OUI on a boat knows the consequences are just as severe, if not more so, than getting arrested for DUI in your car.
 
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