Alcohol use on water safety.

• A. It improves reaction time
• B. It impairs judgment, reaction time, and boat handling
• C. It has no effect
• D. It is allowed if not driving

Answer: (B)

Alcohol affects the abilities most critical to staying safe on the water. It dulls judgment, making it harder to assess hazards, judge distances, and decide when to slow down or change course. It slows reaction time, so responses to sudden dangers—like another vessel appearing or a line snagging—take longer. It also impairs boat handling by reducing coordination and balance, which makes steering, throttle control, docking, and performing maneuvers more difficult. Vision and perception can be affected as well, increasing the risk in glare, low light, or rough seas. Because these impairments can lead to collisions, groundings, or a person overboard, alcohol use compromises safety on a boat and is not safe or appropriate—even if you’re not the one actively steering, the overall safety of everyone aboard is reduced.