Saturday, July 04, 2009

Happy 4th of July Weekend


Have a fun Independence Day weekend!

But if you're boating this weekend, be safe.

Drinking and boating can be as or more dangerous than drinking and driving. Alan Sorum, a past Port Director and Harbormaster in Alaska and author of the popular Boating & Sailing site on Suite101, warns that "the vibration, noise, glare, and motion of boating" can intensify the effect of alcohol you are consuming. And the Star Tribune of Wyoming reports that "a boat operator is likely to become impaired more quickly than a driver on land, drink for drink."

Newspapers and websites across the US have been reporting that Coast Guard units are cracking down on boating and drinking this weekend and throughout the summer with a federal initiative called Operation Dry Water. In fact, in many states "the laws regarding alcohol for the water are identical to those for the road, as far as the operator is concerned," according to an article on HometownAnnapolis.com.

So boat smart, safe and have fun!

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