Chuck Gould wrote:
On Jul 8, 8:59?am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
On Jul 8, 5:11?am, HK wrote:
Garrison Hilliard wrote:
200 People Busted For Alcohol-Related Offenses On The Little Miami River
Last Update: Jul 8, 2007 2:26 AM
Close to 200 people fall victim to a sweep on the Little Miami River. Officials
in Warren County were targeting alcohol-related offenses, from open containers
to underage drinking. The operation left many people drying out and forced to
pay a hefty fine.
Many people were feeling the heat, and not because of the temperature. The main
objective of this operation is not to ruin activities but to make sure the
Little Miami River can be a fun place for the whole family.
Out of sight and undercover, officers from several agencies were looking to put
a stop to a common problem. There's a little too much drinking on the Little
Miami River. Area residents living around the river complained of rude and
obnoxious behavior, enough that something had to be done.
The Sackriders, a local family, agree with Warren County officials who say
alcohol and the river don't mix. Most were upset to get ticketed, in over a few
hours authorities handed citations close to 200 people.
The violations ranged from underage drinking to littering and life jacket
violations. Some people on canoes got stopped more than once for the most
popular offense, having an open container. The goal of the crackdown is to make
sure the river is a friendly place for local families to make a splash. Dozens
of empty beer cans were picked up in the seven-hour sweep
Meanwhile, on the water Chris and Rebecca Sackrider will stick to drinking
water. There will be another similar sweep in the near future, but officials in
Warren County are not saying when.
http://www.local12.com/mostpopular/s...d=2ccdfc37-1f6...
Works for me. Drunks on the water are damned dangerous.- Hide quoted text -
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Subtle distinction: The government sweep didn't target drunks, the
tickets were handed out to people caught with an open bottle of beer
in a boat. If it's 100 degrees, 3-4 guys are out fishing, and somebody
other than the person operating the vessel pops open a beer that
shouldn't be considered a crime. It may be unwise, but if the boat
operator isn't drinking at the helm it's merely a questionable
practice and not a crime. IMO.
There's a difference between having a beer on a summer afternoon and
being a "drunk".
I thought Carrie Nation and Temperance Unions were ancient history.
Good thing they didn't catch one of the canoeists or kayakers smokin a
doobie.....if beer warrants a ticket those uptight puritans would
probably lynch somebody found with a joint.
No wonder the entire world seems to be moving to the west coast! :-)
You can't drive a car on the highways legally with an open container of
booze. I doubt you could ride a bike doing so, either. But driving a
boat with open containers of booze visible is ok?- Hide quoted text -

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There are some important differences between cars and boats.
In most states it's also illegal to operate your car unless everybody
is in a seat belt and normally a shoulder harness. Would you propose a
similar restriction for boats?

A car is nothing more than vehicle of conveyance, while a boat can be
simultaneously a conveyance and a means of accommodation.

I don't suggest the skipper should be drinking underway, but busting
the skipper seated up on the flybridge because a guest down in the
salon is having a cold beer or a glass of Merlot on a summer afternoon
is way over the top.

Good thing there's no actual crime in Ohio, thereby freeing 45 of the
local cops to spend an afternoon preventing the consumption of beer on
the Little Miami river.




I don't spend a lot of time thinking about booze and boats, Chuck. So
far this year, I've had two beers, and both were consumed in my den
after spending four hours mowing my lawn and field. I have one friend
who is an alcoholic. When he comes aboard, I restrict his cooler to two
beers. Maybe once or twice a year, I have a beer on board, but only
while anchored or in a slip.

I don't believe the case you cited involved drinking a glass of wine in
the salon.