Call for breath testing of boaties

Pressure is mounting on those last recreational boaties still stubbornly drinking to excess at the helm, as other water-users demand breath-testing.

Maritime NZ is due to release its 2018 Recreational Boating Survey today, which surveyed the boating habits of thousands.

Statistics provided to Marlborough Express ahead of its release reveal of the 1300 people who identified themselves as recreational boaters, 67 per cent said they always avoided alcohol before and during boating, 16 per cent avoided alcohol ‘‘most of the time’’, 7 per cent avoided alcohol ‘‘some’’ of the time, and 3 per cent – 39 boaties – said they never avoided alcohol.

Maritime NZ says the Maritime Transport Act already prohibits ‘‘dangerous activity involving ships or maritime products’’ and can be used to prosecute intoxicated boat drivers.

In May two Christchurch men were convicted under that act after their boat ran aground. The men refused breath alcohol tests but were too drunk to give statements, a police officer later told the court. Sentencing Judge Tony Zohrab, who ordered them to pay fines, said the men were ‘‘foolish’’.

Boaties and harbour masters told Marlborough Express the law wasn’t good enough. Harbourmasters and police are powerless to breath-test recreational skippers, who can decline a breath test.

Marlborough harbourmaster Luke Grogan said strong regulations around drink driving on the road had improved behaviour on the water but it was important authorities had the power to take action.

‘‘In instances where alcohol is a problem – it’s visible on the boat and we know the skipper is intoxicated – it would be really useful to be able to call the police and have the police to attend and have the power to take an evidential breath test like they do with vehicles on the road.’’

Acting Associate Minister of Transport James Shaw said Government was not considering breath testing boaties because the Maritime Transport Act already encapsulated drinking and authorities already had ‘‘a wide range of powers’’.

‘‘Clearly no-one should be operating a boat if they’re under the influence of alcohol.’’

He said alcohol is not ‘‘a major contributing factor’’ when it came to water accidents and there were ‘‘obvious practical challenges’’ around enforcement.

‘‘We need to ensure our resources are focused on the interventions that will make the biggest difference to improve recreational boating safety.’’

Paul Rosson, whose brother drowned in an alcohol-related boating accident in 2012 said ‘‘common sense must prevail’’.

Patrick Rosson was on a friend’s boat travelling from Picton to the Marlborough Sounds when he stepped onto the deck to ‘‘take a leak’’ and fell over the side.

‘‘It was an unfortunate accident, but it was a collection of several things,’’ Paul Rosson said.

‘‘They’d had a couple of drinks. They were probably – in relation to being in a car – over the the limit, but they were still capable.’’

Blenheim skipper Luke Elworthy said in principle it was hard to justify there being one system for the road and another for the water.

‘‘But personally in sensible moderation, it’s a part of boating that I enjoy.’’