Brockovich’s Arrest Serves as a Warning

We had to cringe this morning when we read (in SFGate.com) that famous environmental activist Erin Brockovich was arrested Friday for boating while intoxicated. At the time she was attempting to re-dock a powerboat at Lake Mead’s Las Vegas Boat Harbor.

By spotlighting this minor news item we don’t mean to beat up on the famous whistle-blower (who was portrayed on screen in 2000 by Julia Roberts), but to remind you that laws regarding ‘driving’ under the influence are as strict on the water as they are on land. In California, as in many other states, the legal limit, of course, is .08. Brockovich’s breath tests were reportedly twice that limit. 

She admitted she’s had a couple of drinks during the day, but no food. In a statement yesterday she said, "I take drunk driving very seriously. This was clearly a big mistake. I know better and I am very sorry."

It would be disingenuous for us to preach that drinking a few brewskis and boating should never be mixed. But every captain and crew obviously needs to self-impose sensible limits. To do otherwise could be dangerous, or even tragic — particularly in rowdy San Francisco Bay waters. Beside, you never know when someone might blow the whistle on you.