What would you do

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pdecat

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You are well anchored in a popular anchorage, intending to stay put over night. The cocktails have been flowing for a while when the local water cops announce that they want you to move the boat a few hundred feet to a different part of the anchorage because there will be a event and you are in the way.
 
Calling my tow company for assistance is the only responsible thing to do, IMHO.
 
This is a tough one, you could be in a mess either way. Move it and you get popped for BUI, tell the police you have been drinking and aren't in any shape to move it could be just as bad. Just because the boat is at anchor doesn't mean someone should not be in command. Granted having a few and relaxing when at anchor for the night is one thing, but there are a number of reasons you might need to move the boat before morning. Being intoxicated beyond the ability to safely operate the boat is probably not a good idea. If you are going to get drunk you probably need to find a captain for the night.
 
Just tell the cop the situation. Asking him if this will get you in trouble if he can "escort" you to the new spot under his supervision. I would think most cops would appreciate that you were up front with them, and understand the situation. If that fails, call Sea Tow, etc. Or, ask other (sober) boaters around if they can help out. Failing all of that (no tow service, no other boaters around, hard-ass cop), then refuse to move. Better to get written up for disobeying the cop's order than to get a BUI.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chesagansett

Just tell the cop the situation. Asking him if this will get you in trouble if he can "escort" you to the new spot under his supervision. I would think most cops would appreciate that you were up front with them, and understand the situation. If that fails, call Sea Tow, etc. Or, ask other (sober) boaters around if they can help out. Failing all of that (no tow service, no other boaters around, hard-ass cop), then refuse to move. Better to get written up for disobeying the cop's order than to get a BUI.

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Yep, leveling with the police (quietly) is the best bet. Call them close and have a one-on-one, ask if their officer can capatain your boat or grab your anchor and pull you to where they want you to be.
 
why would you get in trouble for telling the police you have had a few beers and don't feel you should move your boat right now and offer to have one of them move it if they are capable, do it with their escort, or call sea tow. I definitely would NOT just up and move the boat without saying something.
 
I would ask to see the local notice to mariner which defines the event boundaries.
 
Ask when the event is and tell them you will be out of the way in time but you are not comfortable moving the boat at this time. If the push the issue then explain and I would tend to believe you would be well received.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

Calling my tow company for assistance is the only responsible thing to do, IMHO.

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NO,
Personally, I would like to say that I would tell the cop to go f himself, 20 years ago that would be the deal. Today, I would be hard of hearing and not comprehend what he was asking, would pull out my cell phone and speed dial my attorney. If he was not available, I would offer the cop a beer then go to bed :)
 
This is why I dont drink more than I should while on the hook. Thisi means: Nothing when paid guests are on the boat or when on my own boat not getting even near the legal limit..

That said i would not tell the cops that I m too drunk to move the boat as they might try tonthrow the book at you, even if it won't hold up in court, I would probably fake a mechanical issue...

Come on Bruce, come clean... Any story you want to tell us? :)
 
No wasnt me I was watching the local anchorage, from shore, when the cops moved a boat that had been there for a few days. people coming and going to town and lounging on the boat when the cops came along and I got to wondering what to do.
 
I dont know what the various laws say about the issue either.
 
Bruce, really really good question. For me, I'm no teetotaler, but anchored to me is not "safe to drink", maybe for guests but not for me.

At any moment while anchored, its not unusual to have to reset the hook. So, if I'm drunk I can't do that safely.

I guess for me, its a moot point because I'm not going to put myself in the position of losing my boat because I was stupid in the first place. Seems fairly predictible. Now...tied up to the public dock is an entirely different experience and I'm considering wearing water wings at all times ashore from now on.
 
Problems can happen dockside was well and it is hard to imagine those big raftups being dry or the launch served moorings at Nantucket.
 
This may not be relevant, but for interest sake is there any comparison to a situation with a car? Legally speaking, is sitting in an anchored boat inebriated different from underway? With a car (in some states at least) you could be sitting in a legally-parked car inebriated and that is not "underway", but if the motor is running--or if keys in ignition-- you are considered driving.
 
Usually, if you’re tied up to a dock, you are considered on the property of wherever the dock is. So if you’re at a private marina, you’re on private property. On the hook, you’re on public water, and under whatever jurisdiction water cops have authority of that water. An auto analogy would be similar to the difference between sitting in your car drunk in your own driveway, and sitting in your car drunk on a public street.

As far as the original question goes... I agree with those who say that you shouldn’t get “that” drunk while on the hook. Certainly not too drunk that you can’t move your boat a few hundred feet at headway speed.
 
Could just tell the cop that the operator of the boat went to town to replenish some supplies and will be back in an hour or so and will inform the operator of the request to move the boat. That should buy enough time to sober up or to find someone to move the boat.

quote:
Originally posted by abbott

With a car (in some states at least) you could be sitting in a legally-parked car inebriated and that is not "underway", but if the motor is running--or if keys in ignition-- you are considered driving.
Click to expand...

That is certainly true in PA. A friend and his buddy pulled into a minimart to change a flat tire. The friend, who lost his license, was behind the wheel of his buddy's car while it was jacked up. Keys were in the ignition, car not running, and my friend got busted for operating a vehicle without a license.
 
Any kind of emergency can happen at any time.

Fire

raw water hose blows off

bilge fills with water.

shaft falls out of the log

anchor drags and boat is heading toward the rocks and or shallows.

storm blows in

hard short in heavy wiring melts electrical system

smoke detector goes off...

etc....etc...etc...

At anchor drinking is one thing,

Excessive drinking by the Captain is not acceptable, as SOMETHING could happen.

The Captain is responsible for everything that happens and needs to be ablt to REACT.

He cannot REACT is he's PASSED OUT or ROARING DRUNK.

I am responsible for the vessel and the crew.

No difference if we're on the hook or running at 20 kts.

On the hook a couple of drinks is one thing - beyond legal is something else.

RWS
 
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