One hundred years on from the introduction of the first drink-driving laws in the UK, it is still not illegal for someone to be in charge of a yacht while drunk.
On the UK Government’s national Maritime Safety Day, the British Ports Association (BPA), the collective voice for the ports industry, has renewed its call for policymakers to close the unusual loophole which allows non-professional mariners to sail around the UK while under the influence of alcohol.
Commenting, Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, warned that alcohol use in the recreational marine environment remains widespread, and that introducing alcohol limits could be readily implemented within the existing legislative framework.
“It is simply unacceptable that someone can legally operate a vessel in a dangerous environment while impaired by alcohol. We rightly regulate drink-driving on our roads, but when it comes to our waterways, there is a loophole for recreational boaters. Over the past two decades the government has collected data, understands the issue, and knows that introducing the limits is both an easy fix and the right thing to do.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch both agree that alcohol is a contributing factor in a significant number of leisure boating incidents accidents. It is now down to the Department for Transport to demonstrate its commitment to maritime safety by correcting this policy anomaly.”
In this renewed push on marine safety, the BPA is calling on the UK Government to introduce prescribed alcohol limits for non-professional mariners, such as those sailing yachts and personal watercraft users. While professional mariners are subject to clear alcohol limits under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, recreational users remain outside this framework — creating what many in the ports sector warn is a dangerous and outdated loophole.
Introducing limits would be quite simple, with only a Statutory Instrument required, not primary legislation. The BPA has written to the UK Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP, a strong advocate of safety, on the issue and offered to help officials draft such a legislative solution.