Amateur Fisherman’s Association of the Northern Territory has entered the debate about whether skippers should be subject to a blood alcohol limit

THE Amateur Fisherman’s Association of the Northern Territory has waded into the debate over blood alcohol limits for skippers.

Peter Bennetts - a recreational fisherman says he is OK with the idea of licensing and seeking out reckless drinkers driving boats.

THE Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory has waded into the controversial debate over blood-alcohol limits for ­skippers of recreational fishing boats.

AFANT was asked for an official position from the NT Water Safety Advisory ­Committee.

Currently, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are the only jurisdictions where there is no set blood-alcohol limit.

AFANT told the committee it supports the NT adopting Western Australia’s stance, where police have the power to breath-test skippers if they see them behaving recklessly.

The association’s executive officer Tristan Sloan said the issue was loosely related to the NT not requiring recreational skippers to have a licence.

“It’s a very knotty and complex issue,” he said. “We certainly believe that there needs to be tighter rules around drunk, reckless skippers out there, at the same time, we don’t want to impact on the unique Territory lifestyle.”

Mr Sloan said the introduction of any new laws would require careful consideration.

“If you’ve tied your boat and stopped to cook dinner and have a few drinks, then the boat starts to drift off, you should be allowed to recover it without being afraid of breaking the law,” he said.

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Queensland, NSW, South Australia and Victoria all have blood-alcohol limits in place for skippers.

Peter Bennetts, from Moil, said skippers loved to go out and have a beer, and there were few who abused the privilege. “It’s a tough one ... I think you should be able to have a few drinks, it’s the best bit about relaxing out there,” he said. “I think if someone’s acting reckless then sure, but 0.05 is not really drunk.”

Water Safety Advisory Committee member Bob Elix told Tuesday’s Darwin Council meeting that NT Police were pushing for the introduction of breath-testing, licensing, and boat registration.

Mr Elix represents the Local Government Association on the committee.

Mr Sloan said AFANT had discussed the matter and advised adopting the laws of those states was unnecessary, with NT waters being less crowded than other states.

Mr Bennetts was a licensed skipper in Queensland and said it could work well in the Territory.

“I think the registration part is ridiculous but to be licensed is fine,” he said.

In Queensland, a skipper’s road licence can be suspended if caught over the limit while driving a boat.

Mr Sloan said it was a matter for government, to determine if its recommendations would be adopted, and what penalties might be applied.

“It’s not AFANT’s position to say what the Government can and can’t do (as far as penalties). We’ve been asked for a recommendation and we’ve given it,” he said.