‘ALCOHOL AND SAILING DON’T MIX’
‘Alcohol and sailing don’t mix’; this is the clear message being sent to all users of Southampton Water and the Central Solent by Associated British Ports (ABP), the Harbour Authority and owner of the Port of Southampton, who recently prosecuted two leisure users for being under the influence of alcohol while in charge of their craft, in contravention of the Southampton Harbour Byelaws.
One of the skippers was not only found guilty of being under the influence of alcohol, but also of contravening the ‘Moving Prohibited Zone’ (MPZ) in front of a large containership arriving at the Port of Southampton. This is the zone that operates 1,000 metres ahead, and 100 metres on either side of any vessel over 150 metres in length, while navigating the main shipping channel between Cowes and Calshot. This is the first prosecution for a violation of the MPZ since it became a byelaw offence in 2003.
Captain Steven Young, Harbour Master, ABP Southampton said:
“While not wishing to curtail leisure users’ enjoyment of the water, these successful prosecutions send a clear message that no one should be navigating a small craft when unfit by reason of excess alcohol consumption.Southampton is an extremely busy commercial port with large, deep-draughted vessels arriving and departing every day, and all mariners need to be fully alert to ensure their own safety and that of all harbour users.The byelaw involving the ‘Moving Prohibited Zone’ is a pragmatic measure aimed at keeping the area immediately ahead of a large vessel clear of small craft to ensure the safe passage of both vessels.”
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