| Demographic characteristics |
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 old (Table 1).
Participants were a highly educated group, with 75% reporting a college or university degree. Corresponding to the education level, the reported incomes were high with 66% indicating their yearly income was greater than or equal to $50,000.
Table 1.1: Age demographic characteristics from 2010 and 1994 boating surveys
|
Age
|
2010 Boating Survey Respondents (n)
|
2010 Boating Survey Respondents %
|
1994 Boating Survey Data (n)
|
1994 Boating Survey Data %
|
|---|
|
<30 years
|
3
|
0.9%
|
33
|
4.0%
|
|
30 to 39 years
|
7
|
2.1%
|
77
|
9.3%
|
|
40 to 49 years
|
64
|
18.9%
|
215
|
26.2%
|
|
50 to 59 years
|
106
|
31.3%
|
213
|
26.0%
|
|
60 to 69 years
|
104
|
30.7%
|
242 (60 to 74 years)
|
29.5% (60 to 74 years)
|
|
70 years or older
|
55
|
16.2%
|
40 (75+ years)
|
4.9% (75+ years)
|
|
Total
|
339
|
100%
|
820
|
100%
|
Table 1.2: Education demographic characteristics from 2010 and 1994 boating surveys
|
Education
|
2010 Boating Survey Respondents (n)
|
2010 Boating Survey Respondents %
|
1994 Boating Survey Data (n)
|
1994 Boating Survey Data %
|
|---|
|
Some high school
|
6
|
1.8%
|
12
|
1.5%
|
|
High school diploma
|
24
|
7.1%
|
111 (attended/completed high school)
|
13.7% (attended/completed high school)
|
|
Some post-high school education
|
47
|
13.9%
|
-
|
-
|
|
College or university diploma or degree
|
252
|
74.8%
|
687 (attended/ completed college or university)
|
84.9% (attended/ completed college or university)
|
|
Other
|
8
|
2.4%
|
-
|
-
|
|
Total
|
337
|
100%
|
810
|
100
|
Table 1.3: Income demographic characteristics from 2010 and 1994 boating surveys
|
Income
|
2010 Boating Survey Respondents (n)
|
2010 Boating Survey Respondents %
|
1994 Boating Survey Data (n)
|
1994 Boating Survey Data %
|
|---|
|
<$20,000
|
5
|
1.5%
|
39
|
5.2%
|
|
$20,000 to 29,999
|
2
|
0.6%
|
47
|
6.3%
|
|
$30,000 to 39,999
|
17
|
5.1%
|
85
|
11.4%
|
|
$40,000 to 49,999
|
15
|
4.5%
|
109
|
14.7%
|
|
$50,000 to 59,999
|
25
|
7.5%
|
464 ($50,000 or more)
|
62.4% ($50,000 or more)
|
|
>$60,000
|
196
|
58.7%
|
-
|
-
|
|
Missing
|
74
|
22.2%
|
-
|
-
|
|
Total
|
334
|
100%
|
-
|
-
|
Boating Background and Patterns
The survey respondents were very experienced boaters, with only 10% reporting they had 10 years or less boating experience. Respondents also had older boats, with 65% reporting their primary boat was over 20 years old. The most commonly owned boat was a fixed keel sailboat (70%) (Table 2).
Table 2: Type of Boat
|
|
2010 %
|
2010 (n)
|
1994 %
|
1994 (n)
|
|---|
|
Sailboat - fixed keel
|
70.4%
|
255
|
41.6
|
-
|
|
Sailboat - other
|
42.5%
|
154
|
-
|
-
|
|
Powerboat - cabin cruiser, houseboat
|
18.5%
|
67
|
31.1
|
-
|
|
Powerboat - other
|
13.3%
|
48
|
-
|
-
|
|
Other type of boat
|
10.5%
|
38
|
31.7
|
-
|
Most respondents used their boats more than 10 times in the season (Table 3). Thirty-one percent estimated that they used their boat 21 to 35 times in a season. This means they averaged one to two trips per week during the boating season. Respondents were largely engaged in recreational boating, doing day and overnight trips, rather than fishing, competition or other water sports.
Table 3: Boat Usage
|
Approx. Number of Outings on a Boat
|
2010 %
|
2010 (n)
|
1994 %
|
1994 (n)
|
|
Never
|
2.0%
|
7
|
3.3%
|
26
|
|
1 to 5 times
|
5.4%
|
19
|
7.2%
|
56
|
|
6 to 10 times
|
8.6%
|
30
|
11.2%
|
87
|
|
11 to 20 times
|
23.4%
|
82
|
24.6%
|
191
|
|
21 to 35 times
|
30.9%
|
108
|
24.1%
|
187
|
|
36 to 50 times
|
16.6%
|
58
|
14.4%
|
112
|
|
51 times or more
|
13.1%
|
46
|
15.2%
|
118
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
350
|
100%
|
777
|
The boaters who responded to this survey did most of their boating on Lake Ontario, in the Kingston Harbours and along the St. Lawrence River (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Boating Locations
|
| Safe Boating Practices |
Participants were asked how often they engaged in behaviours that would be considered risky to many boaters. Table 4 shows the proportion of respondents who engaged in each risky behaviour and how often. Less than ten percent participated in any of the behaviours 'frequently'. Between 18 and 55 percent indicated they 'never' participated in these risky behaviours. The remaining majority indicated they participate in the selected behaviours 'rarely' or 'sometimes'.
Table 4: Frequency of Risky Boating Behaviour
|
How often do you go boating...
|
At night? %
|
When there is a small craft advisory? %
|
When there is a small craft warning? %
|
In late winter/ early spring? %
|
In late fall/ early winter? %
|
|---|
|
Never
|
18.7
|
20.1
|
39.6
|
54.1
|
24.2
|
|
Rarely
|
41.5
|
33.5
|
28.6
|
22.5
|
37.4
|
|
Sometimes
|
31.3
|
33.8
|
22.5
|
14.3
|
27.5
|
|
Frequently
|
3.8
|
7.7
|
3.0
|
4.7
|
7.1
|
Table 4: Frequency of Risky Boating Behaviour
|
How often do you go boating...
|
At night? (n)
|
When there is a small craft advisory? (n)
|
When there is a small craft warning? (n)
|
In late winter/ early spring? (n)
|
In late fall/ early winter? (n)
|
|---|
|
Never
|
68
|
73
|
144
|
197
|
88
|
|
Rarely
|
151
|
122
|
104
|
82
|
136
|
|
Sometimes
|
114
|
123
|
82
|
52
|
100
|
|
Frequently
|
14
|
28
|
11
|
17
|
26
|
In the current survey, the vast majority (98.6%) stated that their boats were always equipped with approved Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) for all passengers. Compared to the 1994 survey, a much larger proportion of people indicated they wore a PFD all the time when boating (22.2% indicated 'all the time' in the current survey; only 8.1% in the 1994 survey) (Figure 2). This difference in proportions was statistically significant (chi-square = 69.3, p<.05). When asked to explain when they would not wear a PFD, respondents volunteered comments such as: "good weather", "when water is warm enough for swimming" and "when sitting down below".
Figure 2: How often do YOU wear a PFD when boating?
Just over half of respondents (55%) indicated that they would 'never' or 'less than half the time' require their passengers to wear a PFD (Figure 3).
Figure 3: How often do you require passengers to wear a PFD?
There was strong opposition (66%) to make wearing a PFD mandatory while boating, with another 12% of respondents 'not sure' how they felt about this (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Should wearing a PFD be mandatory when boating?
In the 1994 survey, respondents were asked if there should be mandatory boater training and certification. At that time 77% indicated they agreed with mandatory training and 63% agreed that mandatory licensing should be required. Now, 16 years later and 11 years after the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or proof of training has been required, 93% of the 2010 survey respondents indicated they had acquired a PCOC and 85% had taken a boating course (Table 5).
Table 5: PCOC and boating course
|
|
Do you have a PCOC? %
|
Do you have a PCOC? (n)
|
Have you ever taken a boating course? %
|
Have you ever taken a boating course? (n)
|
|---|
|
Yes
|
92.9%
|
338
|
85.4%
|
311
|
|
No
|
3.8%
|
14
|
11.0%
|
40
|
|
Not sure
|
<5%
|
-
|
<5%
|
-
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
354
|
100%
|
364
|
When asked if the PCOC had improved safety on the water one third of respondents were neither able to agree nor disagree (Figure 5). There is a definite feeling that the training required to obtain the PCOC is not adequate, with 54% 'disagreeing' or 'strongly disagreeing' with the statement: "The training required to obtain the PCOC is adequate" and only 25% selecting 'agree' or 'strongly agree' (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Opinion regarding PCOC
|
| Attitudes Towards, Knowledge of, and Experiences with Boating and Alcohol |
| General Pattern of Alcohol Consumption |
| The majority of respondents (94%) reported having at least one drink in the past 12 months. Of the 325 who reported drinking alcohol, 15% reported drinking every day, similar to the proportion (14%) in 1994. The remainder of respondents indicated they drank from 1 to 6 days each week. A small proportion (6.8%) of respondents reported that on the days they drink, they would average 5 or more drinks. |
| Alcohol Consumption while Boating |
Table 6 displays respondents' alcohol consumption frequencies for three scenarios. Fewer respondents in 2010 (10%) indicated they had operated a boat after consuming two or more drinks in the hour before than in 1994 (16%). Slightly more passengers (19.5%) in 2010 than in 1994 (21.3%) reported consuming two or more drinks in the hour before being a passenger. Ten percent of respondents indicated they had been a passenger on a boat operated by someone who had been drinking. This question was not asked on the 1994 survey.
Table 6: Alcohol Consumption while Boating, Yes
|
In the past 12 months...
|
Yes %
|
Yes (n)
|
Number of times %
|
Number of times (n)
|
|---|
|
Have you ever had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before you operated a boat? (1 - 2 times)
|
10.1%
|
35
|
58.8%
|
20
|
|
Have you ever had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before you operated a boat? (3 - 5 times)
|
10.1%
|
35
|
23.5%
|
8
|
|
Have you ever had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before you operated a boat? (6 or more times)
|
10.1%
|
35
|
17.6%
|
6
|
|
Have you had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before being a passenger on a boat? (1 - 2 times)
|
19.5%
|
68
|
60.3%
|
41
|
|
Have you had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before being a passenger on a boat? (3 - 5 times)
|
19.5%
|
68
|
32.4%
|
22
|
|
Have you had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before being a passenger on a boat? (6 or more times)
|
19.5%
|
68
|
7.3%
|
5
|
|
Were you a passenger on a boat operated by someone who had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the previous hour? (1- 2 times)
|
10.3%
|
33
|
58.3%
|
21
|
|
Were you a passenger on a boat operated by someone who had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the previous hour? (3 - 5 times)
|
10.3%
|
33
|
36.1%
|
13
|
|
Were you a passenger on a boat operated by someone who had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the previous hour? (6 or more times)
|
10.3%
|
33
|
5.6%
|
2
|
Table 6: Alcohol Consumption while Boating, No
|
In the past 12 months...
|
No %
|
No (n)
|
Was never in that situation %
|
Was never in that situation (n)
|
|
Have you ever had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before you operated a boat? (1 - 2 times)
|
86.9%
|
311
|
<5%
|
-
|
|
Have you ever had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before you operated a boat? (3 - 5 times)
|
86.9%
|
311
|
<5%
|
-
|
|
Have you ever had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before you operated a boat? (6 or more times)
|
86.9%
|
311
|
<5%
|
-
|
|
Have you had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before being a passenger on a boat? (1 - 2 times)
|
74.8%
|
261
|
5.7
|
20
|
|
Have you had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before being a passenger on a boat? (3 - 5 times)
|
74.8%
|
261
|
5.7
|
20
|
|
Have you had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the hour before being a passenger on a boat? (6 or more times)
|
74.8%
|
261
|
5.7
|
20
|
|
Were you a passenger on a boat operated by someone who had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the previous hour? (1- 2 times)
|
89.7%
|
287
|
-
|
-
|
|
Were you a passenger on a boat operated by someone who had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the previous hour? (3 - 5 times)
|
89.7%
|
287
|
-
|
-
|
|
Were you a passenger on a boat operated by someone who had 2 or more alcoholic beverages in the previous hour? (6 or more times)
|
89.7%
|
287
|
-
|
-
|
When asked how many alcoholic drinks a person could have and still safely operate a boat, 33% of respondents indicated one drink was the maximum (Table 7). Another 30% thought the maximum would be 2 drinks and 23% indicated that operators should abstain from drinking. The remaining 14% of respondents indicated that a person could drink 3, 4 or 5 or more drinks and still operate a boat safely. Respondents' opinions shifted slightly when asked how a much a passenger could drink and be safe on a boat where 28% indicated passengers could drink 3 or more drinks and still be safe.
Table 7: Beliefs about Alcohol Consumption and Boating
|
Number of drinks
|
How much can YOU drink and safely operate a boat?
|
How much a PERSON drink and safely operate a boat?
|
How much can a passenger drink and be safe on a boat?
|
|---|
|
0 drinks
|
27%
|
23%
|
13%
|
|
1 drink
|
32%
|
33%
|
26%
|
|
2 drinks
|
27%
|
30%
|
32%
|
|
3 drinks
|
8%
|
8%
|
15%
|
|
4 drinks
|
<5%
|
<5%
|
7%
|
|
5 or more drinks
|
<5%
|
<5%
|
<5%
|
All respondents were asked what they would do if they were operating a boat and had consumed two or more drinks in the previous hour. Figure 6 displays the options respondents were asked to consider. Over 50% indicated it was very unlikely they would do nothing and continue to operate the boat, meaning they would not continue to operate a boat under the influence of alcohol. The ideal option if a boat operator were in this situation would be to stop operating the boat or at least anchor and wait long enough that the effects of any alcohol would be eliminated. Just over 40% of respondents were 'very likely' to do one of these actions. It would be more encouraging to see a larger majority of respondents choose these options.
Figure 6: What action would you take if you were a boat operator who had consumed 2 or more drinks?
Respondents were also asked to consider what action they would take if the operator of a boat on which they were a passenger had two or more drinks in the hour before going out on the water. Very clearly doing nothing was not an option; 68% of respondents indicated they were somewhat or very unlikely to 'do nothing' (Figure 7). The majority of respondents were 'very likely' to offer to take over driving and the next most probable action was to ask the driver to wait until they had 'sobered-up' before continuing.
Figure 7: What action would you take if you were a passenger on a boat where the driver had had 2 or more drinks?
|
| Knowledge of Boating and Alcohol |
|
Respondents were asked if they knew the legal BAC limit for operating a boat (Figure 8). The correct answer is 0.05 to 0.08 mg/L. Only 45% of respondents selected the correct answer, but another 27.3% selected BAC limits that are below the legal limit. Fifteen percent selected the option that is a higher limit than is legal and another 12% admitted to being 'unsure' of the correct answer.
Figure 8 What is the legal BAC limit for operating a boat?
Respondents were asked to indicate when it was legal to drink alcohol on a boat. The majority of respondents (94%) selected the correct answer: "It is legal to consume alcohol on board a boat: When the boat is not underway and is equipped with kitchen, sleeping & washroom facilities" (Table 8). While this is a positive result, it is also important to note that in another question 10.5% of respondents thought it was legal for passengers to consume alcohol while the boat was underway as long as the operator did not. This is not legal and puts the passenger at increased risk of injury and drowning. Yet another question revealed that 16% of respondents agreed that "It is legal for passengers on recreational boats to drink alcohol as long as they do not operate the boat" while another 12% were 'unsure'.
Table 8: Knowledge of when it is legal to drink on a boat
|
It is legal to consume alcohol on board a boat:
|
True %
|
True (n)
|
False %
|
False (n)
|
Unsure %
|
Unsure %
|
|---|
|
At any time (n = 343)
|
3.8%
|
13
|
94.8
|
325
|
-
|
<5
|
|
When the boat is not underway and is equipped with kitchen, sleeping & washroom facilities (n = 351)
|
94.0%
|
330
|
5.7%
|
20
|
-
|
<5
|
|
When the boat is travelling on open waters (n = 342)
|
2.9%
|
10
|
95%
|
325
|
2.1%
|
7
|
|
When the boat is underway and the operator abstains (n = 342)
|
10.5%
|
36
|
83.0%
|
284
|
6.4%
|
22
|
|
Never (n = 334)
|
4.8%
|
16
|
92.8%
|
310
|
2.4%
|
8
|
It is important to note that although some respondents may think it is legal to provide alcohol to passengers, as a practice few respondents indicated they actually do (Table 9). Seventy-two percent said they 'never' provide alcohol to passengers when underway and another 16% selected 'rarely'. This is a significant difference to the respondents of the 1994 survey.
Table 9: Frequency of providing alcoholic beverages to passengers
|
|
2010 %
|
2010 (n)
|
1994 %
|
|---|
|
Never
|
71.8
|
250
|
35
|
|
Rarely
|
16.1
|
56
|
17.0
|
|
Sometimes
|
9.2
|
32
|
28.7
|
|
Often
|
2.3
|
8
|
15.3
|
|
Very frequently
|
<5%
|
-
|
4.0
|
|
Total
|
100
|
348
|
-
|
Respondents were asked about their perception of police presence on the water. Sixty-five percent reported having 'ever' seen a RIDE spot check while boating and only 21% had seen one in the 12 months prior to the survey. Thirty-seven percent indicated that it would be "very unlikely" for police to check a boater's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) if they were pulled over on the water (Table 10). Sixty-one percent thought it was 'somewhat' or 'very' unlikely that a person who regularly drinks while operating a boat would get caught (Table 10). Many respondents (57%) were "unsure" if existing regulations regarding the operation of boats were currently enforced in the Kingston area and 39% thought enforcement on the water should increase.Perceptions of Alcohol & Boating Enforcement
Table 10.1: Perceptions of Alcohol & Boating Enforcement %
|
|
Very likely %
|
Somewhat likely %
|
Somewhat unlikely %
|
Very unlikely %
|
|---|
|
How likely is it that the police would test your BAC if you were pulled over while boating?
|
13.7
|
26.9
|
22.2
|
36.6
|
|
If a person regularly drinks while operating a boat, how likely do you think it is that they will get caught?
|
10.2
|
27.6
|
39.0
|
23.0
|
Table 10.2: Perceptions of Alcohol & Boating Enforcement (n)
|
|
Very likely (n)
|
Somewhat likely (n)
|
Somewhat unlikely (n)
|
Very unlikely (n)
|
|---|
|
How likely is it that the police would test your BAC if you were pulled over while boating?
|
47
|
92
|
76
|
125
|
|
If a person regularly drinks while operating a boat, how likely do you think it is that they will get caught?
|
35
|
95
|
134
|
79
|
|
| Perceptions of Alcohol & Boating Enforcement |
| Respondents were asked which sources they used for boating information. Boat shows, marinas and boating associations were selected most frequently (Table 11). Boat retailers were the next most frequently selected. It was encouraging to see a small proportion of respondents remembered obtaining boating information from the "Don't Rock the Boat" event.
Table 11: Sources of Boating Information
|
Source of Information
|
Percent of respondents (more than one could be selected) N = 354
|
|---|
|
Boating Shows
|
65%
|
|
Local Media
|
32%
|
|
Marina
|
62%
|
|
Retailers
|
47%
|
|
Boating Clubs or Associations
|
62%
|
|
Police
|
20%
|
|
Safe and Sober Community Alliance
|
<5%
|
|
Don't Rock the Boat event
|
14%
|
|
|
