There was a safety crackdown on boaters Saturday at Jordanelle Reservoir.
The state is trying to get out the word that unsafe boating can kill, and that state boating law is about to change.
The big change July 1st is, if you're caught driving a boat under the influence of alcohol, you can lose your driver's license.
Your *car* driving license.
News Specialist John Hollenhorst has more.
Who says there's a drought? Jordanelle was wet, busy and fun today.
Park rangers and the Coast Guard Auxiliary prepared with a strategy briefing.
Then they deployed on the docks to do safety checks.
And patrol boats started pulling people over.
TED WOOLLEY/UTAH STATE PARKS: "HI THERE! WE'D LIKE YOU TO TAKE YOUR BOAT OVER TO THE DOCK SO WE CAN DO A QUICK SAFETY CHECK ON YOU!"
The safety checklist includes everything from registration to bail-buckets. And of course, one lifejacket for each person.
"ONE! TWO, THREE!"
Across the nation, about 560 boaters die each year.
TED WOOLLEY/UTAH STATE PARKS: "EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO DROWN IN BOATING ACCIDENTS, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DIED HAD THEY BEEN WEARING A LIFEJACKET."
JOHN HOLLENHORST REPORTING: "IT'S NOT A SMALL ISSUE IN UTAH, EITHER. EVERY YEAR HERE, ABOUT A HALF DOZEN UTAHNS DIE IN BOATING ACCIDENTS."
The owner of this boat was upset to be hassled over the color of his bow numbers, black on blue.
JIM MORGAN/PARK CITY: "WELL, I THINK THEY'RE A LITTLE METICULOUS OVER HOW THEY'RE LAID OUT. I DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH A 75 DOLLAR FINE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOUR NUMBERS WEREN'T RIGHT."
They let him off with a warning. But the law requires 3-inch-high block letters in contrasting colors, so law enforcement can easily identify lost or stolen boats.
TED WOOLLEY/UTAH STATE PARKS: "YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE A LICENSE PLATE ON A CAR. AND IF WE CAN'T READ IT FROM A DISTANCE, IT TAKES US A LOT MORE TIME TO DO IT."
Some laws are getting tougher. Beginning next week, it's illegal for anyone to pilot a boat while drunk or holding an open container of alcohol.
It's OK for passengers to drink. But experts don't recommend it.
TED WOOLLEY/UTAH STATE PARKS: "EVEN IF YOU'RE A PASSENGER ON A BOAT, YOU'RE 10 TIMES AS LIKELY TO DIE IN A BOATING ACCIDENT IF YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING."
And there's a new law for the kiddies, too. Anyone under age 16 piloting a boat has to have a grown up, on board and supervising.
The new law also forbids continuous running of boats at night with bright white lights. Red and green navigation lights are required.
News Release
Beginning July 1, Utah boaters are subject to a new boating under the influence law. During its past session, the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 4: Motorboating and Boating Under the Influence. In summary, those found guilty of operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs face suspended automobile driving privileges.
"This new law recognizes that it is just as dangerous to drink alcoholic beverages when driving a boat, as it is an automobile," said Utah Boating Coordinator Ted Woolley.
Though alcoholic beverages are still allowed onboard, motorboat operators may not have an open container. Motorboat operators under 21 may have no measurable amount of alcohol in his or her body.
Also new July 1, motorboat operators younger than 16 must be accompanied on board and directly supervised by an adult. This new age restriction does not affect operators of personal watercraft (PWC) ages 12 to 15 who possess a Utah PWC education certificate.
Other boating rule changes include:
- Vessels in operation after dark may display only navigation lights and no other spotlights or floodlights, with the exception of intermittent use of non-navigational lights when locating hazards.
- Boaters involved in an accident with property damage in excess of $2000 must immediately notify the nearest state park ranger or other law enforcement officer. This amount is up from $500 last year. Boaters must also report accidents in which a person dies or is missing; or a person is injured and receives medical treatment beyond first aid.
For more information on Utah's boating laws and rules, please call (801) 538-7341.
June 22, 2002
