Boaters under 21 years of age who are found with a measurable breath alcohol level of

FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 26, 2013) -- With new boating safety laws in effect, state law enforcement officials are warning boaters on the dangers and consequences of alcohol consumption on the water.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the legal blood alcohol level for boating under the influence violations has changed from .10 to .08 percent to mirror legal limits for driving.

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 years to operate a boat or personal watercraft if their blood alcohol level is .02 or more, and those 21 years of age or older are considered to be under the influence if their blood alcohol level is .08 or more.

"We expect an increase in boating under the influence because this year we have lowered the limit," said Capt. Mike England of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. "That's something we want to keep an eye on -- to see what impact it has."

The Georgia Boat Safety Act prohibits anyone from boating under the influence, including any boat, sailboat, personal watercraft, water skis, sailboard or similar device while intoxicated. It also is unlawful for the owner of a boat or personal watercraft to allow anyone else to operate it while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are no laws against having open containers of alcohol on a boat or watercraft.

Georgia law states that those arrested for boating under the influence may lose boat or personal watercraft privileges until they successfully complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program approved by the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Violators also will be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $1,000 or prison time for up to one year. Child endangerment charges are added if a child under the age of 14 years is on board. There are loss of privileges to operate a boat or personal watercraft for up to one year, and for those who refuse to be tested, that evidence will be used at trial.

"That's why part of the legislation change was to increase the penalty to match driving," England said. "The suspension is longer, the fines are higher and jail time is longer to deter folks from boating and driving."

England said "environmental stressors" such as heat, wind and the motions of waves could cause fatigue.

"Anytime you add a little bit of alcohol, everything seems to slow down when you're on the water," he said.

England said the Georgia Department of Natural Resources suggests anyone who suspects a boater of driving under the influence or other illegal activity should call the 24-hour tip hotline at 800-241-4113 or dial *DNR from an AT&T cellphone.

"We encourage folks to find a designated driver, or as we call it, a designated skipper," England said. "We want people to have a good time, but do it in a way that doesn't endanger their lives or others."

Questions and Answers for the Boater Test

1. Two boats are operating in the same general area. Who is responsible for avoiding a collision?

D.  the operator of the smaller vessel

2. What is the best way to avoid overloading your boat?

C. Don't exceed the limits listed on the capacity plate.

3. When you see red flag or buoy with a white diagonal stripe (divers-down symbol), you must:

D. Both A and C

4. Florida law requires a person born on or after January 1, 1988, who is operating a boat powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater on Florida waters to:

A. Successfully complete an approved boating safety course and to obtaining have on board a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card and Photographic ID card.

5. What piece of equipment on a boat is most important in preventing propeller strike injuries?

B. Engine cut-off switch lanyard

6. A passenger on your boat falls overboard. What should you do FIRST?

A. Reduce speed, and throw the victim a PFD

7. What three ingredients are required to ignite a fire?

A. Oxygen, fuel, and heat

8. If you see a dead or distressed manatee, or one that is being harassed, you should:

A. report it to FWC Law Enforcement on VHF vChannel 16 or by phone at 1-888-404-3922

9. You see a buoy with both red and green bands. What does this buoy mark?

A. The junction of two channels

10. You see a white buoy with an orange square and black lettering. What does this buoy tell you?

A. Keep out

Which side of a boat has a red light at night?

A. Port (left)

11. Two boats are operating near each other. One of these boats must take early and substantial action to keep well away from the other boat. Which is the boat that must take action?

B. The give-way vessel

 12. When boating in Florida, who has the primary responsibility for the safety of all persons aboard a recreational boat?

A. Boat Operator

13. According to Florida law, PFD's (life jackets) on your vessel should be sized for which person on board?

D. its intended wearer

14. Which PFD's would be considered readily accessible?

A. PFD's located within easy reach of everyone on board

15. Which of these is a factor that determines if a speed is safe for your boat?

D. Hazard in the water

16. A PWC must be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. It is illegal to:

D. All of the above

17. Under Florida law, which persons on board a PWC must wear a PFD (life jacket)?

A. Everyone on board

18. In Florida, which of the following is one of the legal requirements while operating a PWC?

C. Have a driver's license 

19. What is the most important thing to remember about steering a PWC?

D. You lose all steering control when the engine is idling or shut off

20. You are operating a PWC. What will happen if you shut off the engine?

D. You will keep going in the same directions with no steering control.

21. A PWC capsizes. What is the best way to roll the PWC to turn it upright?

Roll the PWC according to the decal on the craft.

22. Which of these is the most common cause of fatal boating accidents in Florida?

bad weather

 23. It is illegal to operate which of the following while impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs?

 D. All of the above

 24. Two boats are operating in the same general area. Who is responsible for avoiding a collision?

 D. the operator of the smaller boat

25. What is the important safety information found on a boat's capacity plate?

 D. maximum weight and/or number of people the boat can carry safely

26. When you see a red flag or buoy with a white diagonal stripe (divers-down symbol), you must:

D. both a and c

27. Operators required to have a Boating Safety Education ID Card must carry it along with a _____ on board.

B. photographic identification card

28. What piece of equipment on a boat is most important in preventing propeller strike injuries?

B. engine cut-off switch lanyard

29. Your boat gets swamped far from shore. What should you do?

A. Stay with the boat, and signal for help.

30. What should you do if the motor on your boat catches fire?

D. Shut off the fuel supply if possible.

31. Destruction of seagrass in aquatic preserves is a violation of Florida law and carries a penalty of up to _____.

D. 1000

32. You are traveling upstream on a river at dusk. You see a buoy with the number 5 and a flashing green light. What should you do?

A. Keep the buoy on your port (left) side.

33. You see a white buoy with orange markings and black lettering. What type of buoy is this?

D. regulatory marker

34. In addition to an all-round white light, which light or lights must power-driven vessels less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long exhibit when underway between sunset and sunrise?

B. red and green sidelights

35. What should you do if you are operating a motorboat that is being overtaken by a sailboat?

C. Maintain present course and speed.

36. What should the operator of a stand-on vessel do when encountering a give-way vessel?

D. Maintain course and speed unless the give-way vessel does not take action.

37. Florida regulates boat speeds/operation in certain areas to:

D. All of the above

38. According to Florida law, which agency must approve PFDs (life jackets)?

C. United States Coast Guard

39. Where is the best place to put PFDs while you are out on your boat?

D. in an open bin near the passenger seats

40. Two boats are operating in the same general area. Who is responsible for maintaining a sharp lookout?

D. the operator of the smaller boat

41. Which of the following is legal when operating a PWC?

C. attaching the lanyard of a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch to the operator's PFD

42. Under Florida law, which persons on board a PWC must wear a PFD (life jacket)?

A. everyone on board

43. Florida law prohibits anyone under the age of _____ from operating a personal watercraft (PWC):

C. 14

44. What is needed for steering control on a PWC?

D. power to the jet drive

45. What happens when a PWC's steering control is turned to the right?

B. The back of the PWC is pushed to the left, and the PWC turns right.

46. Boaters under 21 years of age who are found with a measurable breath alcohol level of _____ or higher are in violation of Florida law.

0.02

47. The Florida Boater Education Temporary Certificate is valid for _____ months from the date of completion, is non-transferable, and cannot be exchanged for the Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.

12 Months

48. What is the main function of an engine cut-off switch?

A. to shut off the engine if the operator is thrown overboard

49. What should you do to reduce the risk of capsizing or swamping your boat in rough water?

Anchor from the stern.

50. What three ingredients are required to ignite a fire?

A. oxygen, fuel, and heat

51. Harassing, hunting, capturing, or killing any marine mammal, such as a manatee, is a violation of Florida law and punishable by up to:

52. You are traveling upstream on a river at dusk. You see a buoy with the number 4 and a flashing red light. What should you do?

Keep the buoy on your starboard (right) side.

53. One type of marker is used to warn boaters not to pass between the marker and the shore. What color is this marker?

white with black vertical stripes

54. What color is a boat's sternlight?

C. white

55. A motorboat is approaching a sailboat head-on. What should the motorboat do?

A. Take early action to keep well away from the sailboat.

56. You encounter another boat. You assess the situation and determine that you are the give-way vessel. What must you do?

B. Take early and substantial action to keep well away. 

57. You encounter another boat. You assess the situation and determine that you are the give-way vessel. What must you do?

B. Take early and substantial action to keep well away.

58. According to Florida regulations regarding obstructions to navigation, it is illegal to attach your vessel to which of the following?

A. a lateral buoy or non-lateral marker

 59. According to Florida law, PFDs (life jackets) on your vessel should be sized for which person on board?

D. its intended wearer

60. Where is the best place to put PFDs while you are out on your boat?

D. in an open bin near the passenger seats

61. What is your primary responsibility when other boats are in your area?

D. to keep a proper lookout and avoid a collision

62. Which of the following is legal when operating a PWC?

C. attaching the lanyard of a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch to the operator's PFD

 63. In Florida, which is these is NOT legal on a PWC?

B. wearing an inflatable PFD

 64. In Florida, what is the minimum legal age required to sign a contract to rent a personal watercraft (PWC)?

D. 18

 65. What is the most important thing to remember about steering a PWC?

D. You lose all steering control when the engine is idling or shut off.

 66. You are operating a PWC. You are heading straight toward a dock. You turn the engine off and then turn the steering control hard right. Which way will the PWC go?

A. It will continue straight toward the dock.

 67. Which part of a PWC is dangerous to your hands, feet, and hair?

A. drive shaft

By law in the State of Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988,who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the FWC or a Florida boater education temporary certificate issued by an authorized vendor.