Alcohol breath tests for skippers introduced

The Government of Jersey says the changes to maritime regulations are a "big step forward"

Harbour masters and police have been given the power to conduct alcohol breath tests on boat skippers under new maritime regulations.

The Government of Jersey said it had also made it an offence to operate a boat carelessly or dangerously in the island's territorial waters and had introduced tougher penalties if death or serious injury occurred.

It said police officers and harbour masters would be able to carry out breath tests when there is "reasonable suspicion of careless boating or serious harm".

A government spokesperson said the changes, which came into force on Tuesday, were a "big step forward in protecting everyone who enjoys our coastline and holding operators accountable".

In July the chairman of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, deputy Montfort Tadier, had said the proposed legislation "lacked clarity".

At the time the panel had requested a copy of the agreement so it could "better understand the impact on the resources available".