PROPOSALS to introduce marine drink-drive breathalyser tests in Guernsey would sink, not swim, say officials. The UK Department of Transport – following the introduction two years ago of an 80mg blood-alcohol limit for commercial mariners – is in discussions with agencies over whether to bring pleasure-boaters into line with commercial sailors.

‘If the UK were to do something like that, it would be something we would look at with interest,’ said Home minister Mike Torode.

‘It is something that would require a considerable amount of in-depth research and I have much doubt whether Guernsey would even contemplate leading the way.’

A DoT spokesman was yesterday unable to say when it would decide on the proposals.

Deputy Torode had doubts over whether they would be realised at all.

‘There is a large area of contention about it in the UK and I would not take is as being a done deal at all.

‘There is no legislation here for driving a boat over the limit. However, there are a number of offences under marine legislation. Driving a boat dangerously is an offence and it is the sort of offence that would be investigated by the police, utilising harbour staff as professional witnesses.’

A 21-year-old fisherman was put on probation for a year in 2004 after he took his boat out after drinking 10 pints. In the Magistrate’s Court, he admitted navigating a vessel in a dangerous manner.

Harbour master Captain Peter Gill said that if the UK moved towards introducing a drink-drive limit, the island would probably review its position. But he said it would be difficult to prove who was skippering the vessel when investigations were made.

‘You might have six people in a boat and let’s say they have all been drinking, how do you prove that one of them has been in charge of the ship at that time?’

Deputy Torode said such a law would carry further complications.

‘Where does the ﾓin chargeﾔ begin and end on a boat? What about the people in a marina who go ashore, have a first-class meal in Town and have something to drink and stay on board for maybe two to three days? Where do you draw the line between them?’ said Deputy Torode.

Captain Gill said seafaring was a much more sober activity now than in the past.

‘Drinking at sea, which people consider as something that sailors do, should be considered as something they used to do,’ he said.

He added that the commercial shipping world went to great pains to ensure that its captains and crews stayed dry.