Sailing laws?

Question

There's a nice pub by the sea about five miles from where my boat will be berthed, can I sail it down there get leathered and sail it back without the peelers getting interested?

Answer 1

If you are a pleasure craft (i.e. non commercial) and in the U.K.as far as I am aware there is technically no law preventing you from getting intoxicated and taking charge of a boat. That said there may be other charges to answer for if death,serious injury or damage to another vessel or property occurs as a result of your being in charge of a vessel whilst drunk.

However I feel morally obliged to point that it is as irresponsible for a skipper and crew to be in charge of any vessel  whilst under the influence of alcohol as it is to drive a car under the influence of alcohol. The use of recreational drugs is equally dangerous and irresponsible. You are endangering not only your life but the lives of others also.

The fact that you ask such a question in the first place suggests to me and no doubt to others that you are neither competent or mature enough to be in charge of a vessel.

Answer 2

Maybe...

but will you be in any condition to get the boat back into the berth without dinging it on the dock, or the piling, or the boat next to yours?  Are you going to risk maybe thousands of euros/dollars/sheckels of damage, just to hoist a pint or six?  Boat safe - the hull you save may be your own!