" Is there a law against drinking (in moderation) while in command of a vessel?"

I'm sure it varies from place to place. Up here, the laws are very strict and where I paddle (the Toronto area) is very tightly policed. A co-worker told me the crack down really got going after a Minister of Transport was arrested for drinking on his boat.

I'm definitely not anti-alcohol, I used to drum in a punk band, but I'll never understand people who drink on the water or in camp grounds. It just seems contrary to whole endeavour. Aren't bars the place for getting wailed?

I'm sure most people are reasonable, but up here the strict rules were brought in because they were sorely needed. There's been a big difference in the behaviour of boaters over the last ten years, and I suspect that has a lot to do with the alcohol ban.

I think the only time I like to see police is when I'm on the water. Those big blue cop cruisers are definitely my favourite motor boats.