Despite fewer boaters on the water, alcohol remained a concern for law enforcement following results from a recent four-hour multi-agency OUI (Operating Under the Influence)/Safety Checkpoint on the Colorado River at the I-40 Bridge near Topock.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department conducted the effort, which resulted in nine watercraft operators charged with OUI (exceeding the .08 legal limit for blood-alcohol content or drug impairment).
A total of 117 watercraft passed through the four-hour checkpoint.
“It remains a concern,” said Tim Baumgarten, law enforcement program manager with the Game and Fish Department’s Region III office in Kingman of the number of boaters operating over the legal limit.
“However, any time you remove impaired boaters from the waterways, you have to consider the effort a success.
“But, this year we had two checkpoints at this location and went from arresting one of every 15 operators to arresting one of every 13. At those numbers, recreation becomes life-threatening to both those under the influence and those that remain sober.”
The location of this checkpoint was in the proximity of an alcohol-related quadruple fatality several years ago.
Alcohol impairment was the second most common violation at the checkpoint. Not having a type IV throwable was the most common violation, resulting in 13 citations. In addition, six citations were issued for both insufficient PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices) and not having a fire extinguisher on board. Three were cited for expired registration and one for transom riding.
“While removing impaired operators is critical, we also want to make sure boaters have the necessary equipment in the event of an emergency,” Baumgarten said. “It doesn’t take long for a situation to become life-threatening while recreating on the river.
“These citations are easy to avoid. Boat sober, take a free boating education class, and review the regulations prior to launching a watercraft. It’s cheaper than receiving a citation and then buying the needed equipment to become compliant.”
Overall, 69 percent of the boaters were in compliance in regards to alcohol consumption and proper equipment. Forty-four percent of the operators had consumed some alcohol.
Additional multi-agency OUI checkpoints and patrols will occur on the Colorado River and its reservoirs throughout the boating season.
The Game and Fish Department encourages boaters to take part in a boating education class. Available classes can be found on the department web site, www.azgfd.gov/boating.
