BRUNSWICK

Wawenock Sail and Power Squadron has partnered with the Sea Tow Foundation to promote the “Designated Skipper Program” for boaters.

The goal of this important new program, which is supported by a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund as administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, is to help eliminate boating under the influence and alcohol-related accidents on the water while keeping boating fun for everyone.

Through the Designated Skipper Program, boaters pledge to respect the legal drinking age, be responsible for their vessel and all passengers, and be or designate a sober skipper every time they leave the dock.

BUI is a serious safety risk, against the law in all states, and is 100 percent preventable if a designated skipper is appointed before every nautical outing. Alcohol can impair balance or coordination, which are already hard to maintain on a boat.

In addition, environmental stressors, wind, vibration, noise and the sun can intensify the effects of alcohol on the water.

An average of 290 boating accidents, with an average of 111 fatalities, occur annually because of BUI, and 16 percent of all fatal boating accidents were the result of alcohol or drug use by a boat operator.

Any person who is suspected of BUI can be arrested, face steep fines, be imprisoned or have their boat impounded. Some boaters may even lose their car driving privileges.

Why be or designate a sober skipper? While always safer for all passengers on a boat to remain clear-headed, should individuals choose to drink alcoholic beverages while boating, someone needs to stay sober, do the driving and make sure everybody gets home safely — the same thing you would do if you were heading out for a night of fun in your automobile.

If you’re a boater, take the pledge, and if you’re the skipper, stay alert and stay sober.