Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman announced on Wednesday that he will be pressing ahead with the introduction of an alcohol limit for non-professional mariners.
The limit of 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood will be equivalent to that already in existence for professional mariners, and will apply to those persons involved in the navigation of a vessel greater than 7 metres in length and/or capable of a maximum speed of more than 7 knots.
The limit for non-professional mariners is being introduced after a consultation in 2004. Announcing the results of the consultation, Dr Ladyman said: "Everyone has the right to enjoy themselves on the water, but in a way that does not put others at risk. We have weighed very carefully the results of the consultation exercise and the views of all concerned - leisure sailors, enforcement authorities and accident investigators.
"I am satisfied that in bringing in an alcohol limit for non-professional mariners and in setting the exclusion limit at 7 metres and 7 knots we are providing the best balance between improving safety and avoiding unnecessary regulation."
The Department for Transport will be consulting on a set of draft regulations later in the Summer.
The alcohol limit is being introduced under Part 4 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 which received Royal Assent on the 10 July 2003.
There are three ways of measuring the alcohol limit. The prescribed limits are;
a) in the case of breath, 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres,
b) in the case of blood, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres,
c) in the case of urine, 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres.
An alcohol limit for professional mariners was introduced in March 2004. 3. The exception from the alcohol limit does not affect the offence (under Section 80 (2) of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003) of having the ability to navigate impaired because of drink or drugs.
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