Lachlan Jacob Cummins Smith: Weekend Surfers Paradise boat ride lands man in court

A boatie who took to the waters of Surfers Paradise after a few beers has learnt his lesson after being stopped by police. Read what happened.

Lachlan Jacob Cummins Smith, 33.

A day out on a jet ski, followed by a few beers, has landed a man in court after he tried to sail a watercraft on the Gold Coast.

Lachlan Jacob Cummins Smith pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court on Friday to driving the boat while over the mid-range level of intoxication last year.

Police prosecutor Sophie Gorrick said local cops “intercepted” Cummins Smith’s vessel on the evening of Saturday, October 29.

Lachlan Jacob Cummins Smith, 33, leaving court.

“At 6.30pm, Gold Coast water police were conducting patrols of the main channels in Surfers Paradise when they observed a personal watercraft containing a single male rider,” she said.

The officers noticed “the smell of liquor on his breath”, with a breath test returning a positive result of 0.106.

“When questioned whether he’d been drinking, he said he’d consumed some beers,” the prosecution said.

Defence lawyer, Katie Wolff of Roland McGrath Criminal Law, said the offending was out of character for the 33-year-old.

“(Cummins Smith) doesn’t usually drink, he was out on the jet skis all day and had stopped off to have some food and drinks,” Ms Wolff submitted.

“He didn’t realise he’d be over the limit.”

The defence said Cummins Smith had a strong work ethic, saying he undertakes 60 hours a week as a sole trader in earthmoving and has been in the industry for the past 14 years.

The court heard Cummins Smith had never been before the court before, and that his traffic record only features one speeding offence from last year.

Ms Wolff said her client was “remorseful and ashamed” of his actions.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said it was a lesson in safe boating, but told Cummins Smith: “I put this down to being an error of judgement”.

“Sometimes, when you’re out on the water, you can be lulled into this false sense of security because everyone is so far away from you,” the magistrate said.

“But it’s still very dangerous (to drink drive).”

Magistrate Vasta reminded the offender that “the rules of the road still apply” when out on the sea.

Cummins Smith was convicted and fined $800.