Boating Under the Influence

[phoenix232]

<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>What do you do if you see someone that's clearly intoxicated but decides to operate his boat? (and you've never seen the guy in your life)

Happened to me this weekend.....Almost hit him, if I wouldn't have been paying attention, would've killed us all.</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Results (total votes = 27):</FONT><table bgcolor=#FFFFFF border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="75%">
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Give him a one finger salute</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>4&nbsp;/&nbsp;14.8%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=44 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Call game and fish and let em know</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>21&nbsp;/&nbsp;77.8%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=233 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Pull him over and try to talk him out of operating his boat</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>2&nbsp;/&nbsp;7.4%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=22 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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[TeamBajaMarine]

I voted, but I would stay way away from him, either way behind or foward.

[Baja Daze]

Call the authorities, whether it be the local sherrif's office, coast guard, game and fish, etc., whoever is in charge locally. Then steer clear of them.

There's no excuse for excessive intoxication with any motorized vehicle. They are a danger to everyone including themselves. This is not to say that I deplore someone who has a beer or two on a dinner or lunch cruise, there's nothing wrong with that in my eyes, but no one should be totally blitzed out there.

8)

[TEAMBAJA]

I bought a boat with a cuddy for a reason. I get to the islands, and I plan on staying all night because there is going to be some serious alcohol consumed.

Ok, 2 reasons. Cant forget about the stray women that sometimes invade the boat!:smokin

[bottomless pit]

2 weeks ago We were tied together in PCove, and the guy next to me and I notice a non responsive man floating face down in the lake, We went in and pulled him out, I checked for pulse and at first (NONE). we got him in a boat and I check again and he was alive I checked for Stroke. It was determined that he was their "designated driver", We diagnosed alcohol poisoning and Heat stroke, It took us 1 hour to get him coherent. I know we saved his life.:D
I suggested they not let him drive.:x
My helper was a fire fighter. This happened on the same weekend as the BTM Run.
This is a much abbreviated version of the real happenings.
...PIT...:|

[saleen367]

Trick question ...

I'm certain that my reaction would rely on his/her reaction of the incident. If the guy was obviously in a drunken stupor and acting like we were at fault, then yes, absolutely I would call the DNR or local Sheriff.
If the guy was apologetic and stopped to offer his apology, I might try to persuade him to let someone else take the helm if he was obviously influenced. However, as most know, if they are apologizing, they are probably sober.

I drive for FedEx, so if I'm driving my boat, (my wife doesn't care to) and I always do, I cannot afford to drink ... ever. I tell my wife, who gives me a bit of grief about it, that it's because of my license that we have the boat, so allow me to keep it.

[Bajaman81190TC]

Pit,
thumbs up bro.!

Now change the scenario and it's someone you know and boat with. :D or even yourself :eek

[jal4sas]

I am on the cell phone immediately.

I boat on a river where its nuts all weekend, between performance boats and families pulling tubes.

There is no room on the river for intoxicated boaters.

[phoenix232]

Baja boaters are top notch, responsible boaters......I figured the survey would come in with the right data.....I ended up calling game and fish and got the guy off the lake before he killed someone.....They were very, very appreciative. This guy had been hard into a half gallon of tequila (I heard later).


Pit, way to go.....

[Seize n Ticket]

Very tough question and I am one who enforces the law. If the guy was beyond driving abilities then call the...in our area Missouri State "Water Patrol." I do enjoy being able to have a couple of drinks while boating and I will add as I get older I find myself being more and more cautious. If I feel like its a good day for more than a couple, I will have my wife drive the boat. I will tell her it is my day to drink and she needs to stay sober to drive, works out awesome. Sounds like, as drunk as this person was you may have saved his or someones elses life, good call.

Hey Dennis, glad to hear the life saving story...it is nice to see there are a few people who still care enough to get involved. Way to go guys!!!

[DCH1]

Seize:

Your viewpoint is very interesting! I agree on the spare driver. Had Laura trained by a pro (NOT me!) to drive the 342. In a pinch, she could run the boat. But as she isn't really comfortable docking, I stay sober and let the crew have the drinks.

DCH