Name: |
cstewa
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 11:13:35 AM
|
1.) Are they giving tickets for any open alchohol on the boat. I mean if the driver is not drinking but others on the pontoon are....are they over looking this?
2.) I was reading the regulation on PWC and noticed the wording concerning pulling skiers. It reads as though as long as you have legal rear view mirrors then you don't need some one turned around on the jet ski watching. In fact it goes so far as to say that an observer does not replace the need to have the mirrros. So can I pull my brother in law on the jet ski without an observer. My mirrors are legal I think.
thanks for the help folks..pumped about this weekend....Just don't want to get my guest in trouble by letting them drink on the boat.
|
Name: |
AnchorbayDon
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 11:17:44 AM
|
You will need tgo check the regulations as to the size that a mirror needs to be in order to be considered 'legal'. I know for certain that the mirrors that come as standard equipment on SeaDoos and Waverunners are NOT legal under Alabama law.
|
Name: |
DJ
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 11:20:06 AM
|
I think it says 10 sq inches.
|
Name: |
Marine Police
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 11:49:00 AM
|
1.) Assuming that all passengers on board are at least 21 the answer is no. There is no "open container" law in Alabama concerning boats.
2.) PWCs are required to have mirrors on each side for towing. DJ is correct in that the mirrors are required to be at least 10 sq. in. Mirrors built in by the manufacturer ARE considered legal. The mirrors are the only requirement....so if your PWC has no mirrors then you can't legally tow anyone.
Here's a link to go with the one DJ posted earlier. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list but a general list.
URL: General Boating Rules in Alabama
|
Name: |
DJ
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 12:19:41 PM
|
Thanks for the clarification, looking forward to seeing you folks in force over the holiday weekend. Anything we can do to help please post to this forum.
|
Name: |
DJ
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 12:23:22 PM
|
Hey I had a question about towing a tuber or skier in a boat, is there an age limit on the spotter and also what size mirror is legal for towing without a spotter in a boat?
|
Name: |
Crimson4Lif
-
|
|
Subject: |
Marine Police question...
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 12:32:01 PM
|
So if there are 6 adults and 3 kids on a pontoon and the adults are drinking, excluding the driver, then they are in violation? I didn't realize this was the law??? Can you explain a little more in detail or is it that cut and dry?
|
Name: |
Pier Pressure
-
|
|
Subject: |
Marine Police question...
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 12:37:18 PM
|
It is not "illegal" to have an open container on a boat. It isn't even illegal to be drinking and drive the boat (maybe stupid, but not illegal). What is illegal is drinking enough to become impared, have a blood alcohol level of .08 or more AND operate the boat.
Boat laws are not like car ones in that car laws you have "Physical Control" by having the keys on you and drunk. If the boat isn't going anywhere then no one is operating it. Once the motors are running, it is being operated. Do not operate your boat under the influence...
Is that more clear? Let your passengers drink, but not get to the point they are "Public Intoxication" and doing something stupid.
|
Name: |
lamont
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 12:52:09 PM
|
I was stopped 3 weeks ago because I had my 2008 decal on the right side of my pontoon but not the left. Long story however, I did have the decal in the glovebox and showed it to the Marine Police. He wrote me a warning. My wife asked him if he would put it on as I could not reach over far enough. He politely declined. My wife, son and daughter-in-law were all drinking a beer and he just told us to take it easy on the alcohol. My son, the joker in the group, said that "taking it easy" was exactly the way he was taking it. As a matter of fact the beer was going down far to "easy." The Marine Police Officer found no humor in that comment but, set us free none the less.
|
Name: |
Maverick
-
|
|
Subject: |
DJ Here is Answer
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 12:53:08 PM
|
Every vessel (except personal watercraft) towing a person(s) on water skis or a similar device must:
- Have on board a capable observer, other than the operator who is at least 12 years old or ...
- Be equipped with a wide-angle rearview mirror. The size of the mirror must be at least 500 square centimeters (78 square inches) and have a field of vision of at least 170 degrees.
|
Name: |
Tallyman
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 1:17:35 PM
|
I would rather be 21. Or not thrice 21. What the heck. At least I am upright and can hold an open container without spilling it, usually.
|
As I always tell my son....don't poke the bear!
|
Name: |
cstewa
-
|
|
Subject: |
two genuine questions
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 2:00:00 PM
|
Thanks everyone....that clears it up. Have a great and safe weekend.
|
Name: |
Marine Police
-
|
|
Subject: |
Clarification
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 2:15:50 PM
|
In your example let's assume the 3 kids aren't drinking. There's no problem. If, however, the three kids are 17, 18, and 19 years old (or any other age less than 21) and are drinking...then there's a problem.
In the earlier post I didn't intend to imply that merely having underage people on a boat prohibited anyone on board from drinking alcohol.
|
Name: |
Marine Police
-
|
|
Subject: |
Physical control
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 2:21:09 PM
|
Actually, "physical control" does apply to boats. Of course, with boats there are different situations that have to be considered such as a boat adrift, a boat at anchor, a boat rafted in the middle of 30 other boats, etc.
|
Name: |
Nutin Bitein
-
|
|
Subject: |
1 more Marine Police question
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 2:42:36 PM
|
If my son is 14 years old and has his Alabama vessel license can he drive the boat if Dad has been drinking??? What if he is 12 and has his license?
|
Name: |
Crimson4Lif
-
|
|
Subject: |
Thanks
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 2:48:06 PM
|
Thanks for responding and clarifying. You had me scared there for a minute.
|
Name: |
Nutin Bitein
-
|
|
Subject: |
legal for towing
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 3:32:18 PM
|
Would this ski be legal? Link below
URL: http://home.comcast.net/~jcbrello/2008Aquatrax_F12X_.jpg
|
Name: |
old blue chair
-
|
|
Subject: |
legal for towing
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 3:40:41 PM
|
i want one
|
Name: |
Nutin Bitein
-
|
|
Subject: |
Here is another
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 3:45:39 PM
|
One good wave and you can forget about having kids........
URL: http://home.comcast.net/~jcbrello/AquaTrax_R-12_racer.jpg
|
Name: |
BoatsRFun
-
|
|
Subject: |
legal for towing
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 3:47:17 PM
|
Cool...looks like a Goldwing without wheels, please tell me that is not a headlight out front and blinkers in the side mirrors....lol
MP said stock mirrors would be ok
|
Name: |
old blue chair
-
|
|
Subject: |
Here is another
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 3:50:05 PM
|
or teeth
|
Name: |
Pontoonfisher
-
|
|
Subject: |
Marine Police question...
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 4:36:19 PM
|
From what I understand is that the .08 limit is a guideline for the officer. If you have .08 or higher he is required to take you in. Anything under that limit and it is his discretion. So if you get pulled over and have .01 level and your a total jerk to the officer, chances are that he will arrest you and you will be charged with DUI.
|
Name: |
DroughtBuster
-
|
|
Subject: |
Marine Police question...
|
Date:
|
5/21/2008 4:55:34 PM
|
Marine police dont need to be jerky to the public and visa versa. I've met my share of very nice ones on the lake and more than my share of jerky ones. Hopefully the friendly, cordial type are working the lake this season. The lake is there to have relaxed fun and the public needs to be given space with their families to enjoy it without feeling overly watched. IMO, random checking should take place to weed out the bad apples for all individuals own safety but everything needs its limits. Have fun out there and be super, super, super,super, super, super SAFE, to a point that is!
GS
|
|