Drinking while boating poses a significant health and safety risk. It is also 100% preventable. Massapequa Takes Action Coalition has partnered with the Town of Oyster Bay to help raise awareness of this issue and to help keep residents safe this summer while on the water. Alcohol and drug use is a significant cause of fatal boating incidents in New York. Between 2005 and 2024, intoxication was found to be the primary contributing factor in 81 fatalities, 20.0% of all boating deaths, in NYS. 

Dangers of the effects of drinking while boating:

It is important to realize that on the water, even small amounts of alcohol may greatly impair one's ability to function in three critical areas: balance, coordination, and judgment. Pair this with environmental stressors such as glare, heat, vibration, and engine noise, and you can become quickly fatigued, greatly slowing your reaction time. Your ability to judge speed and distance are also impaired which can limit your ability to track moving objects [1].

Should you find yourself unexpectedly immersed in the water, your ability to survive decreases when under the influence. Alcohol will not only make it more difficult to reach for and put on a life jacket, it may also increase one's disorientation upon entering the water, reducing your chances of rescue [1].

As of January 1 2025 New York law requires all boat operators, regardless of age to obstain and carry the NY boating safety certificate. If you are under the age of 21 in New York State, it is illegal to drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can affect a person’s ability to understand what is happening around them, which in-turn can decrease their ability to react to an emergency or operate a boat. For boaters who are new or unfamiliar to the water, the effects of alcohol or any substances may be even more dangerous. 

New York State Law:

No one may operate a vessel on the waters of NYS while impaired or intoxicated through the consumption of either alcohol or drugs. New York law now prescribes heavy fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of operator privileges for violators [1].

Sources:

OPRHP. NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. Safe Boating Lawful Operations. [1] 

OPRHP. NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation 2024. Recreational Boating Report. [2]