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‘Don’t drink and drive…your boat’
New law prohibits boating while drunk
Gov. Eloy S. Inos has signed into law a measure that prohibits boating while under the influence of alcohol.
With his signature on Tuesday, House Bill 19-8, HD1 becomes Public Law 19-5. The law aims to “prohibit boating while under the influence of alcohol.”
The law, which was passed by the Legislature in June, found that the previous law prohibiting boating under the influence of alcohol was “confusing to boaters and has proven difficult to enforce.”
“The Legislature finds that it is necessary to pass a clear and enforceable law [that] will make the waters of the Commonwealth safer for everyone,” the law states.
The law says that an impaired operator can quickly put himself and others in danger.
Noting alcohol’s effect on coordination, judgment, and reaction time, the law says these factors cannot be compromised while operating a vessel in CNMI waters.
“A single mistake could cost many lives, including the lives of rescuers,” the law states, noting the risk to swimmers, divers, and tourists also.
The bill states that it is unlawful for a person to operate a vessel in CNMI waters if the person is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or if the person has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more.
The bill states it is unlawful for a person to operate a vessel when their ability to operate one is visibly impaired due to alcohol.
The bill also states it is unlawful for an owner of a vessel or a person in charge or in control of a vessel to authorize or permit a vessel to be operated by a person under the influence of alcohol.
It is also unlawful for a vessel operator to possess an open container of alcohol.
