Operating under the influence

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office marine deputies are seeing an increase in the number of boats on the water, and some operators are drinking too much.

Marine deputies have charged 13 individuals — six in May, seven in June — with operating under the influence so far this year, according to a Sheriff's Office press release.

One of the charges included a serious injury on Saturday when a boat passenger got in the water to urinate while the boat was moving and was struck several times by the propeller, the release said. The person was taken to Kootenai Health.

The Sheriff's Office reminds the public that while it's not illegal to consume an alcoholic beverage while operating a vessel, the .08 blood/breath alcohol content is easier to reach than when on the roadway.

"Environmental factors such as dehydration, food intake, and heat exposure can alter the process of alcohol entering and exiting the body. The Sheriff’s Office would like to encourage operators of vessels to refrain from alcohol consumption while they are boating," the release said.

In 2021, there were three boating-related fatalities in Kootenai County and alcohol was a major contributing factor in each incident, the release said.

Kootenai County issued 53 operating under the influence charges in the past two boating seasons and is on track to surpass that this year.

In addition to alcohol negatively effecting the boating community, inexperience and negligence contribute to water-related disasters, the release said.

"At no time while the vessel is making way through the water should occupants be riding on the bow (front) or stern (rear) outside of the seating areas," the release said. "These acts are occurring daily and are unsafe as well as discouraged by boat manufacturers."

Violations of safety laws such as negligent operation and improper personal floatation devices will likely result in a citation, "as death is a likely result of continued unsafe practices," the release said.