Texas game wardens are responsible for recreational boating safety. In 1999, game wardens made 167 boating while intoxicated arrests. Why Boaters Should Avoid Alcohol Half of all boating accidents are alcohol-related. The effects of alcohol may be increased while boating. The sun, wind and water pounding against a boat create added stresses.
Most injuries result from falling overboard.
If a person who has been drinking alcohol falls into the water, disorientation may cause the person to swim in the wrong direction during the first crucial seconds and could result in a drowning. On lakes, rivers and bays throughout the state, game wardens, along with local law enforcement agencies, are patrolling busy waterways and will continue throughout the summer. Any boat operator who appears to be under the influence or who has a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or greater may be arrested. There will be no grace period for enforcing this new water safety regulation, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife's Law enforcement Director Jim Robertson. Nearly all accidents and fatalities can be avoided if people simply use common sense, are courteous on the water, wear their life jackets and avoid alcohol.