Boating and Alcohol - Dangerous Driving

Boating and Alcohol

Drinking alcohol in a boat is no less dangerous than in a car. The effects of the sun and wind, combined with the use of alcohol, seriously distorts judgment and dulls the reflexes. Unfortunately, alcohol is a factor in a high percentage of fatal boating accidents. In December 1985, major amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada took force in regard to vessels. These amendments led to more severe police action, especially for offences committed under the influence of alcohol.

Dangerous Driving

Section 249(1)b of the Criminal Code of Canada provides:

“Everyone commits an offence who operates a vessel or any water skis, surf-board, water sled or other towed object on or over any of the internal waters of Canada or the territorial sea of Canada, in a manner that is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances, including the nature and condition of those waters or sea and the use that at the time is or might reasonably be expected to be made of those waters or sea;”

Everyone one who commits an offence under this section may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

If the offence caused bodily harm to another person, the length of imprisonment may be up to ten years.

If the offence caused the death of another person, the person who committed the offence is liable to imprisonment for a term of up to fourteen years.

Section 250(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada also provides:

Another responsible person must be on board a vessel to keep watch on any person being towed.