Plans to introduce breathalyser tests for people at the helm of sea-going craft should be given the necessary support so that legislation to this effect is passed without delay – and in time for next summer.
Last month The Malta Independent reported that talks were underway to introduce these tests to curb drink-driving on boats.
Administrative Law Enforcement inspector Alex Miruzzi told TMID that the Malta Maritime Authority was looking at the possibility after it became clear that there were a number of boat owners who could be using their boat under the influence of alcohol.
If, and when, such a test is introduced, ALE police will be able to stop a boat and test the driver. Hence they will be in a better position to control alcohol abuse on boats. A clause relating to relapsers is expected to be included in the new legislation because, at present, no additional
disciplinary proceedings can be taken against repeat offenders.
“The idea is to have a clause in the law that allows the police to withdraw the licence of any boat-owner found to be repeatedly breaking the law,” Mr Miruzzi told TMID.
Other plans in the offing include number plates for boats, to make identification easier. Another aspect being discussed by the authorities is the fact that, at present, under-age children can be in control of their parent’s boat because there is no law to prohibit them from doing so.
All these efforts have one aim: that of making our seas as safe as possible.
Just as new regulations have been introduced over the years to make our roads as safe as possible – speed limits, speed cameras and the presence of traffic wardens – the sea surrounding our island, a hive of activity during summer, should also be monitored to reduce the danger to those in the water and to those out for a pleasure trip on their boat.
It is rather odd that, at the moment, Maltese law does not permit the police to test people driving boats for excessive levels of alcohol in the system. It is also odd that there is nothing in Maltese law that stipulates that only individuals with a licence to drive should, in fact, be in control of the boat.
As Inspector Miruzzi explained, regulations covering weapons (for hunting) and cars stipulate that it is only the licence holder who can use the weapon or drive the car. And it should be the same for boat owners as well. It is dangerous for people – and by this we mean both adults who have never handled a boat and children – to drive a vessel without having a licence to do so.
Information campaigns over the years – which seem to get better every season – have been instrumental in instilling a sense of responsibility among boat-owners and also swimmers. The swimmers’ zones that have been introduced to enable people to swim in safety have also had the desired effect.
What needs to be done now is to fine-tune the law to improve safety at sea. This is a matter that should not create controversy and that should pass through Parliament without any glitches.
The plans that are being drawn up should not remain on the shelf for too long. They should be presented to parliament and discussed as soon as it is possible, so that the regulations will come into force next summer.
Another point mentioned by Inspector Miruzzi is that the ALE would like to have direct access to the MMA’s database, which contains all the information available on boats and their owners. This would certainly speed up the work of the ALE and make it more efficient. The two entities should not encounter any problems in resolving this issue.