Introduction

Executive Summary

In 1994, the Greater Kingston Area Safe & Sober Boating Coalition, with support from the Addiction Research Foundation, conducted a survey of boat owners and users in the Greater Kingston Area. After 15 years there was a desire to repeat the survey and conduct a comparison analysis. The current survey and analysis examines changes in boaters' attitudes or behaviours towards drinking alcohol while operating or riding as a passenger on a boat.

The survey was administered by mail and online to area boaters. The survey was completed by 364 people. More males than females completed the survey (85% male respondents) and 62% of all respondents were between 50 and 69 years. The respondents were very experienced boaters, with only 10% reporting they had 10 years or less boating experience. The most commonly owned boat was a fixed keel sailboat (70%).

Results

• There was a significant increase by operators in the use of a personal floatation device (PFD) since the 1994 boating survey. However, there is still resistance by boat operators to insist passengers wear PFDs.
• There was a small proportion of boaters who chose to drink and operate a boat and a slightly larger proportion who had been a passenger on a boat while consuming alcohol. The choice to drink on a boat whether as the operator or a passenger may persist in part due to the perception of some respondents that law enforcement on the water is minimal and therefore the risk of being caught is low. There is also confusion over whether it is legal to drink while underway or not.
• A small proportion of respondents participated in other risky boating behaviours, such as boating during a small craft warning or during months of the year when the weather, and water, are very cold. It could be that those who choose to drink on the water are also more willing to participate in other risky boating behaviours.
• When Transport Canada introduced the PCOC requirement it was, in part, to make boating safer for everyone. And while the majority of respondents indicated they have their PCOC, they did not feel there was adequate training to obtain the card and therefore were very unsure whether this requirement had improved safety on the water.

Recommendations

• Continue to work with partners using appropriate health promotion strategies, such as healthy public policy, creating supportive environments, and strengthening community action, to encourage the following in boaters:
  • Regular PFD use by boat operators and passengers;
  • Abstain from drinking alcohol while operating a boat;
  • Increase knowledge of when it is legal to drink alcohol on a boat; and
  • Increase knowledge of the risks of drinking alcohol as a boat passenger.
• As a working group, discuss advocacy options. For example, advocate for more rigorous training and/or testing to obtain the Pleasure Craft Operator Card; advocate for an increase in police presence on the water.

 A study of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour regarding alcohol consumption and boating in the KFL&A area.¹

Introduction

Recreational boating is both a popular and very social activity, and having a few drinks is often  part of this socializing. According to the Canadian Red Cross, 37% of boaters in Canada admit to drinking alcohol every time they boat and 66% admit to drinking some of the time.¹ This behaviour poses risks to all boaters and can prove fatal. There were 2,323 immersion deaths and 123 trauma deaths while recreational boating in Canada from 1991-2006. Alcohol was present or suspected in 46% of immersion deaths and 45% of trauma deaths, with actual totals probably higher due to the number of unknown cases. The legal alcohol limit of 0.08 BAC was confirmed to be exceeded in 26% of all immersion deaths and 27% of all trauma deaths.²

For more than fifteen years, the Greater Kingston Area Safe & Sober Community Alliance has coordinated a Safe Boating Working Group involving community partners from a number of organizations including local marinas, boating organizations, enforcement and health care. (See Appendix A for complete list.) This group has worked to raise awareness of the risk of alcohol use while boating through educational opportunities (e.g. Safe Boating Kits), media campaigns and community events (e.g. "Don't Rock the Boat" event held at Collins Bay Marina). Since Kingston is a boating community, the continued work with respect to safe and sober boating has led to a number of significant partnerships in both the non-profit and business sectors. These partners have taken leadership roles in promoting safe boating, and have been active in the organization and support of the Safe and Sober Alliance's annual Safe Boating Event.

In 1994, the Addiction Research Foundation, with support from the local boating coalition, conducted a survey of boat owners and users in the Greater Kingston Area.³ The results of that survey were used to guide health promotion and injury prevention activities in the KFL&A area. After 15 years of such efforts, as well as major changes in provincial boating laws, including the introduction of mandatory licensing for pleasure craft operators, there was a need to repeat the survey and conduct a comparison analysis. The current survey and analysis examines changes in boaters' attitudes or behaviours towards drinking alcohol while operating or riding on a boat.

These findings will be used to guide future health promotion and injury prevention programming.

Safe & Sober Community Alliance Mission and Goals

The mission of the Alliance is to prevent and reduce injuries and deaths related to alcohol use through community partnerships, programming and education.