BOATING SAFETYBOATING SAFETY

ALABAMA’S BOATING SAFETY ALABAMA’S BOATING SAFETY ACTACT

The Roberson/Archer Act is The Roberson/Archer Act is another name for the Boating another name for the Boating Safety Act of 1994Safety Act of 1994

This legislation made Boating This legislation made Boating Safety a mandatory Safety a mandatory component of the Drivers component of the Drivers Education CurriculumEducation Curriculum

Key points of the Boating Safety Key points of the Boating Safety ActAct

• Persons over 40 years of age on April 28, 1994 Persons over 40 years of age on April 28, 1994 are exempt from the educational component of are exempt from the educational component of the Alabama Boating Safety Act.the Alabama Boating Safety Act.

• Certification is not required for non-motorized Certification is not required for non-motorized vessels.vessels.

• All boaters of motorized vessels must be at least All boaters of motorized vessels must be at least 14 years of age ( as of 2001 ) and have passed an 14 years of age ( as of 2001 ) and have passed an approved course in boater safety.approved course in boater safety.

• Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.is prohibited.

Key points of the Boating Safety Key points of the Boating Safety ActAct

• Boating Rules – of – Road must be followed for safe Boating Rules – of – Road must be followed for safe vessel operation.vessel operation.

• Boating Under the Influence ( BUI ) laws are exactly Boating Under the Influence ( BUI ) laws are exactly like DUI laws on the roadways. A boater can be like DUI laws on the roadways. A boater can be convicted of BUI if their BAC is at .08% or above. convicted of BUI if their BAC is at .08% or above. The “zero tolerance” law for underage drinkers is The “zero tolerance” law for underage drinkers is applicable on the waterways as well.applicable on the waterways as well.

ALCOHOL FACTS AND ALCOHOL FACTS AND MYTHSMYTHS• Myth: Beer is less intoxicating than other alcoholic Myth: Beer is less intoxicating than other alcoholic

beverages.beverages.

• Fact: One 12 oz. can of beer, one 5 oz. glass of wine, or Fact: One 12 oz. can of beer, one 5 oz. glass of wine, or one shot of 80 proof liquor all contain about the same one shot of 80 proof liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol and have the same effect.amount of alcohol and have the same effect.

• Myth: Its easy to tell if someone is to drunk to drive.Myth: Its easy to tell if someone is to drunk to drive.

• Fact: Many experience drivers have learned to Fact: Many experience drivers have learned to compensate for alcohol’s outwardly visual effects and compensate for alcohol’s outwardly visual effects and can hide their intoxicated condition.can hide their intoxicated condition.

ALCOHOL FACTS AND ALCOHOL FACTS AND MYTHSMYTHS• Myth: A cold shower, a walk in the fresh air or Myth: A cold shower, a walk in the fresh air or

black coffee will sober you up.black coffee will sober you up.• Fact: Once you have consumed alcohol, nothing Fact: Once you have consumed alcohol, nothing

will sober you up except time. Your body will burn will sober you up except time. Your body will burn about 1 oz. of alcohol per hour. If you are legally about 1 oz. of alcohol per hour. If you are legally drunk it will take about 7 hours to sober up.drunk it will take about 7 hours to sober up.

• Myth: You are the best person to judge whether Myth: You are the best person to judge whether you are fit to driveyou are fit to drive

• Fact: One of the first things you lose when Fact: One of the first things you lose when drinking is your judgement.drinking is your judgement.

CERTIFICATE OF CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIPOWNERSHIP• Boat owners must keep the title of Boat owners must keep the title of

their boat in a safe place.their boat in a safe place.

• On the reverse of the vessel title On the reverse of the vessel title there is an application for the there is an application for the transfer of ownershiptransfer of ownership

CERTIFICATE OF NUMBERCERTIFICATE OF NUMBER• Boat owners must have at least a temporary Certificate of Boat owners must have at least a temporary Certificate of

Number before they can operate in state waters. Upon receipt Number before they can operate in state waters. Upon receipt of the Certificate of Number: of the Certificate of Number:

• It must be signed and carried onboard when operating the It must be signed and carried onboard when operating the vessel. vessel.

• The AMPD must be notified within 15 days if the boater The AMPD must be notified within 15 days if the boater changes residences. changes residences.

• The AMPD must also be notified within 15 days if the vessel is: The AMPD must also be notified within 15 days if the vessel is: lost, stolen, destroyed or abandoned.lost, stolen, destroyed or abandoned.

• The Certificate of Number is valid for one year and the date for The Certificate of Number is valid for one year and the date for the required renewal is dependant on the first letter of the the required renewal is dependant on the first letter of the vessel owner's last name.vessel owner's last name.

Legal requirements of Legal requirements of BoatingBoating• Who May Operate a VesselWho May Operate a Vessel• The Roberson/Archer Act of 1994 requires that The Roberson/Archer Act of 1994 requires that

every person who operates a motorized vessel every person who operates a motorized vessel (including PWCs) on the waters of Alabama (including PWCs) on the waters of Alabama must first obtain an Alabama boater safety must first obtain an Alabama boater safety certification. This requirement does not apply certification. This requirement does not apply to operators of sailboats, rowboats or canoes.to operators of sailboats, rowboats or canoes.

• Age to Legally Operate on Alabama Age to Legally Operate on Alabama WatersWaters

• No one under the age of 12 years may operate No one under the age of 12 years may operate any motorized vessel (including PWCs) under any motorized vessel (including PWCs) under any circumstances. any circumstances.

• Persons under the age of 12 years are not Persons under the age of 12 years are not eligible for Alabama boater safety certification. eligible for Alabama boater safety certification.

Legal requirements of Legal requirements of BoatingBoating• Certification Boater Safety Requirements for Certification Boater Safety Requirements for

Alabama ResidentsAlabama Residents• If you are under 12 years of age:If you are under 12 years of age: You may You may notnot

obtain your Alabama boater safety certification, and obtain your Alabama boater safety certification, and you may you may notnot operate a vessel under any operate a vessel under any circumstances. circumstances.

• If you are 12 or 13 years of age:If you are 12 or 13 years of age: You may obtain You may obtain your Alabama boater safety certification. After your Alabama boater safety certification. After obtaining the certification, you may operate a vessel obtaining the certification, you may operate a vessel legally legally only ifonly if supervised on board by a person who: supervised on board by a person who: – Is at least 21 years of age Is at least 21 years of age and ... and ... – Carries a valid proof of his or her Alabama boater safety Carries a valid proof of his or her Alabama boater safety

certification certification and ...and ... – Is in position to take immediate physical control of the Is in position to take immediate physical control of the

vessel. vessel. • If you are 14 years of age or older:If you are 14 years of age or older: After After

obtaining Alabama boater safety certification, you obtaining Alabama boater safety certification, you may operate a vessel without supervision legally. may operate a vessel without supervision legally.

Preparing for a Boating TripPreparing for a Boating Trip

• When loading items onto a boat use a check list When loading items onto a boat use a check list to insure all items are on board and stowed to insure all items are on board and stowed securely.securely.

• Always hand equipment and items into the boat, Always hand equipment and items into the boat, don’t try to carry them on.don’t try to carry them on.

• When boarding, step into the center and give When boarding, step into the center and give others assistance in boarding safely. Stay low and others assistance in boarding safely. Stay low and hold onto both sides for balance.hold onto both sides for balance.

• Distribute weight as evenly as possible.Distribute weight as evenly as possible.

Preparing for a Boating TripPreparing for a Boating Trip

• File a float plan that includes a description of the File a float plan that includes a description of the boat, number of persons aboard, trip plan boat, number of persons aboard, trip plan (departure and arrival estimates), and emergency (departure and arrival estimates), and emergency numbers in the event of a problem. Leave the numbers in the event of a problem. Leave the float plan with a responsible person on the shore.float plan with a responsible person on the shore.

• Check for full fuel tanks and check fuel lines for Check for full fuel tanks and check fuel lines for leaksleaks

• Happy BoatingHappy Boating