Lake Conroe boaters advised of BWI enforcement for Memorial Day weekend

LAKE CONROE, Texas -- The name on the boat pictured, says it all. Having all the necessary registrations, licenses, and equipment, doesn’t make boating any safer if you get behind the wheel after you’ve had "too much."

The approach of the Memorial Day weekend will be the first high-traffic boating weekend on Lake Conroe. The boating community is expected to be out in volume to celebrate the holiday, but the Constable Precinct 1 Office, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillla 6-9, and the Parks and Wildlife Department ask that you don’t celebrate in excess.

“We want people to come out and enjoy the lake and have fun,” said Lt. Tim Cade, of the Constable Precinct 1 Office. “We just want them to abide by the rules.”

The use of alcohol is involved in approximately one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land. The motion and vibration of the boat, engine fumes, sun and heat, will accelerate a drinker's impairment, affecting a boat operator's coordination, judgment, and reaction time.

"Due to these factors, the effect of alcohol is three times what is is on land," said former Flotilla Commander Jay Schmidt of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on Lake Conroe, and a boating safety instructor. "What people don't realize is by registering a boat in Texas, you waive your right to refuse a breath test."

Two additional factors make boating under the influence even more dangerous…boaters average just a little over 100 hours on the water per year, compared to the amount of time spent behind the wheel of a car. Automobiles are somewhat protected with traffic signals and signs, curbs, guardrails, etc. Boats have no protection from each other.

Every state has stringent penalties for violating BWI laws. Penalties can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges, and may even result in jail terms. The Constable Precinct 1 Office, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Parks and Wildlife Department, cooperate fully in the enforcement of safety rules and to remove impaired boat operators from Lake Conroe.

Officers utilize random safety inspections that can include boarding your boat. Primarily safety inspections check for proper licenses and safety equipment like sufficient PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices), and ensuring children are in life jackets, but Lt. Cade said that the law enforcement officers are trained to detect for impairment.

“We can tell when we’re dealing with a BWI and when someone is just unsteady in a rocking boat,” said Lt. Cade. “We look for slurred speech, red eyes, and the smell and evidence of alcohol.”

According to Lt. Cade, when it’s determined that an operator is impaired, the driver will be removed from the boat, and another licensed boat operator will have to take the wheel. If there isn’t another licensed operator who is not under the influence of alcohol, an additional deputy will be dispatched to take the wheel and steer the boat to shore.

“The usual procedure is as follows,” said Lt. Cade. “We’ll take the individual back to solid ground and give them a ‘fair chance.’ We’ll let them sit for fifteen minutes and just observe. Then we perform functionality tests, both mental and physical. The same type of tests are performed for a BWI as on the side of the road for a DWI.”

According to Lt. Cade, the Lake Conroe Safety Patrol is allowed to request breath tests to determine BWI, and even blood tests. A refusal of a test can be used against a boater in a criminal prosecution.

Every boater needs to understand the risks of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It’s against the law, and this law pertains to ALL boats including sailboats, canoes, and rowboats. A BWI conviction will also impact an offender's automobile driving privileges, resulting in suspension or revocation.

Because you don’t have any control on another boat operator driving under the influence, boat insurance will cover losses in the event of an accident from collision, fire, storms, theft, explosion, or capsizing. These incidents are not uncommon on Lake Conroe as evidenced by a recent boat fire Boat fire on Lake Conroe destroys boat but boaters safe. Protect your passengers, and also your boat, motor, and trailer with insurance, wear life jackets, and boat responsibly.