Riding a jet ski in Eilat? Get ready - you're about to undergo a breathalyzer test

During the past week, the marine policing unit in Eilat detained three vessel operators on suspicion of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. One refused to be tested, and two were found with high alcohol concentrations in their breath. Their licenses were suspended for 30 days, and their files will be transferred to the Ministry of Transport for prosecution.

During the past week (Wednesday), officers of the marine policing unit in Eilat conducted proactive enforcement activity in the Gulf of Eilat, during which three vessel operators, in their thirties, were detained for questioning on suspicion of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. The move comes following the implementation of the law prohibiting operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. For several weeks, marine policing unit officers across the country have been conducting prevention and awareness activities among the boating public. With the conclusion of the awareness phase, they have now begun increased enforcement against vessel operators who endanger the safety and well-being of bathers and users of the maritime space. The first, a resident of Shefa-'Amr, refused to undergo an alcohol test and was therefore detained for questioning. The second, a resident of Nazareth, about 30 years old, was tested and found to have a concentration of 483 micrograms of alcohol per liter of exhaled air. The third, a resident of Netanya, about 30 years old, was tested and found to have a concentration of 403 micrograms of alcohol per liter of exhaled air. At the end of the investigation, the boating licenses of the three detainees were suspended for 30 days. In the coming days, upon completion of all procedures, the investigation files will be transferred to the Ministry of Transport for prosecution with the aim of filing indictments against the suspects.