menzies
Guru
It is an unwise skipper who becomes inebriated while anchored. Who knows how and when an emergency may "emerge". Same goes for crew who could be needed.
Fer Gawd's sake.
Live a little.
It is an unwise skipper who becomes inebriated while anchored. Who knows how and when an emergency may "emerge". Same goes for crew who could be needed.
Fer Gawd's sake.
Live a little.
I agree with Bruce.
Menzies, be assured I live lots. Nonsense is not improved by repetition. Maybe it`s down to PUI. Assuming you live your post, one day or night, you may have issues you and your crew are too pissed to resolve sensibly. I hope not, but then you might reconsider. As might your insurer.
It is accepted here that if a boat is anchored or moored,random breath testing is not available to authorities.
It is an unwise skipper who becomes inebriated while anchored. Who knows how and when an emergency may "emerge". Same goes for crew who could be needed.
Menzies, be assured I live lots. Nonsense is not improved by repetition. Maybe it`s down to PUI. Assuming you live your post, one day or night, you may have issues you and your crew are too pissed to resolve sensibly. I hope not, but then you might reconsider. As might your insurer.
There's lots of righteous BS on this thread!
There's lots of righteous BS on this thread!
Tried this discussion before...brings out more emotion than the separation during the US Civil War.... with about the same amount of bloodshed.
All sides should be responsible...responsible behavior and responsible legislation and responsible discussion from both sides.
Rarely is either extreme correct.
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
Wifey B: Methinks you want to disbelieve people who actually have principles they believe in and one of those I believe in is not operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I'm not a teetotaler, but respect those who do and know quite a few. I don't put them down for being so. I also have a high powered sports car that I don't drive at high speeds simply because I don't know how I'd live with myself if I killed someone driving at 100 mph or something. Same reason I don't personally drink and drive. Now, hubby never has. I did some when I was 21 and younger. I would have told you then I wasn't under the influence. I know better now. I've done plenty of things in my life others here might disapprove of, but the question at the moment is operating a boat under the influence.
This issue was brought up in reference to a man who has a DUI and two BUI's within the past two years, both BUI's in the same month. This man is a menace. If he can't see and avoid an entire freaking beach, what chance would a small boat have had? He's a criminal and we need him kept off the roads and water.
As to your drinking, I don't care how much you drink. I don't care if you do drugs. I do care if you operate a boat under the influence.
I think we all went off on extreme ends of the spectrum. I certainly will enjoy cocktails at anchor. I think the main thing here is we have to realize that being anchored can be and is a dynamic situation. And those dynamics can change in a hurry. And are you prepared if things change for the worse?? If you are snot slinging drunk and you start dragging anchor and have to do something, NOW you are operating the boat under the influence whereas you weren't just 2 minutes ago.
Then maybe you shouldn't drink at home either in case the kitchen catches fire.
Then maybe you shouldn't drink at home either in case the kitchen catches fire.
So you believe sitting at anchor is operating a vessel?
Interesting.
Wifey B: It can quickly require you to operate it. I believe you should have a designated sober. If you have two glasses of wine with your meal, fine. Not what I'd do, but i have no problem. However, you get drunk, it's an issue. We had a poll earlier which showed 43% drink most days when cruising and 24% drink 2 to 3 times a week. Didn't ask how many get legally intoxicated.
Or maybe never drink to excess under any circumstances?
This then led to a discussion about what is "excess". Hence the BAC and some personal testing.
So what reading do you consider excessive. Over the legal limit of something higher?
This is a personal decision. I wanted to see if my own personal alcohol use would ever put me over the legal limit of .08%. I found that it never would. I did find that at the point, sitting at home in my living room, where I felt impaired enough that I would never drive a car or do any critical task my BAC was around .05-.06%. To me, this explains a move in many states to lower the legal limit to .05%. So I consider excessive to above that .05% level. I personally can't imagine wanting to drink any more than that. I just don't find the sensation to be all that pleasant nor do I consider drinking to achieve that sensation to be responsible behavior.
Again, this is just my personal choice and will be different for everyone. Tomorrow I attend my 40 year high school reunion. If it is anything like the last few reunions, there will be a wide range of personal choices on display.
Interesting, so you relate excessive to the driving/operating limit? Or is it, as you say, your feeling somewhat debilitated?
If you were out back grilling for the family on July 4th, or at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner that would still be your definition of excessive?
Wifey B: The question was asked as to excess. The law in most states defines it as .08. In other countries, .05 is very common and is called impaired rather than intoxicated. NTSB has recommended .05. The problem is the average person has driven under the influence 80 times before being convicted. You don't just happen to get caught the first time. That sounds like something one tells their mommy, this was my first time doing that. That, and for weed, it wasn't mine, I was holding it for a friend.
Most places limit commercial to .04 and no alcohol within four hours of driving. Pilots have an 8 hour rule and .04 and some airlines have 12 hour rules.
We have 8 hour rules and .02 as the limit for our employees and ourselves.
Now I consider anything over .04 or .05 excess. No, you're not drunk, but you're impaired. So, since .05 is rapidly becoming the new norm, I'm fine with that. I wish we'd just enforce the .08 better and not only find it after accidents. Maybe before might prevent some.
Dhays has done what I consider very wise. There are cheap breathalyzers. Get one, test yourself.