TOC

Tom Nunes, Arizona State Liaison Officer, met with Kevin Bergerson, Boating Law Administrator, and Ed Huntsman, Education Manager, to review recent and future events as well as mutual needs. Because of the meeting, Games and Fishery will be buying five cases of TYPE IV PFDs for the Auxiliary to distribute to boaters who need them. These Type IVs will only be distributed to people found to not have one on VSCs and when towing, etc.

One of the nation's premier fresh water boating destinations, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is confronting an age-old boating safety problem head-on; operating a recreational pleasure boat under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. In marine law enforcement parlance, the offense is known as OUI, operating under the influence. In Arizona, the maximum legal limit is .08 percent blood alcohol concentration for boat operators, the same as it is for driving an automobile.

“We're determined to significantly reduce the number of intoxicated boaters on Lake Havasu,” commented Jim Salscheider, Executive Director of the Lake Havasu Marine Association, the organization that is spearheading the new “carry a designated operator” campaign. “All we're asking is that every boat designate one on-board person to be responsible for operating the boat on that day who is not going to consume an alcoholic beverage or ingest a controlled substance while on the water. It's a campaign that has been successful in reducing the number of highway accidents, now it's time for the boating community to embrace the same philosophy.”

According to recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics, approximately one-third of all fatal recreational boating accidents nationwide are alcohol related. Kevin Bergersen, Law Enforcement Programs Coordinator and State Boating Law Administrator for Arizona Game and Fish said, “Boaters operating a vessel under the influence is an ongoing safety issue with all too often tragic consequences. Drunk boating is drunk driving. This grass roots effort between state law enforcement agencies, the Lake Havasu boating community and business supporters will help boat operators understand that the Arizona penalties of watercraft operation and driving a vehicle while impaired are almost the same.”

The first awareness of this new safety campaign has already begun. Six-foot by four-foot “carry a designated operator” signs have been posted at several prominent public launch ramps around Lake Havasu. “Our first sign just went up at Windsor Beach launch ramp,” said Salscheider, “and will be followed by several more at other key boating ramps and facilities. The initial phase of this campaign is to create some recognition and get people thinking about being more responsible when boating. We don't want to spoil anybody's fun on-the-water, but operating a boat while impaired is a serious safety hazard. It doesn't seem like too great a sacrifice to ask just one person on-board to forego alcohol for a one day. It's certainly worth saving a life.”

The “carry a designated operator” campaign will continue to accelerate as the 2011 boating season approaches. In addition to signage at major launch ramps, the program will be supported with an aggressive marketing strategy including articles, ads and press releases in prominent boating publications, local radio PSAs, consumer boat show exposure, email blasts to known boaters, website links and social networking, and support from waterfront restaurants and bars.

“I'm very gratified by all the support this campaign has received in such a short period of time,” remarked Salscheider. “Funding for this effort has initially come from private business. Hall of Champions boat racer and safety advocate Bob Teague of Teague Custom Marine has graciously agreed to be our spokesperson, lending significant credibility to what we are trying to accomplish. And the cooperation by all facets of law enforcement have only strengthened our resolve to make a difference in creating a safer Lake Havasu for all boaters.”

The Lake Havasu “carry a designated operator” campaign is co-sponsored by Romer Beverage Company of Lake Havasu and Teague Custom Marine, Valencia, California. Supporting agencies include: Arizona Game and Fish, Arizona State Parks, Mohave County Sheriff, Lake Havasu City Police, and San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department. Participating restaurants/bars include Pirate Cove Resort and the Turtle Grille/Nautical Beachfront Resort. “Carry a designated operator” was founded by the Lake Havasu Marine Association and is responsible for its implementation.

• U.S. Coast Guard District
  • U.S. Coast Guard Sector
  • U.S. Coast Guard Sector
  • Local Notice to Mariners
• U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District
• State Boating Agency
  • State Boating Course
  • State Boating Laws from NASBLA
  • State Education Requirements from BoatUS Foundation
• Boating Courseline from BoatUS Foundation
• Marine forecasts from the National Weather Service
• Sea Scout Ships (units) from Sea Scouts BSA