THE purchase of breathalyser equipment by Ports of Jersey has been approved in preparation for proposed changes to the Island’s maritime legislation.
Harbourmaster Captain Bill Sadler said that the equipment that had been selected was “widely used by UK police forces”.
It follows a ministerial decision by Deputy Kirsten Morel, who has political responsibility for air and sea transport policy, approving the acquisition of the Dräger Alcotest 7000 and 6820 as “approved devices for the purposes of enforcing the forthcoming Inshore Harbours Regulations”.
A proposition from Deputy Morel to alter the Harbours (Inshore Safety) Regulations was approved in principal in July – but referred to the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel – with debate due to resume next month.
The key changes include new offences for the dangerous and careless operation of a vessel, including where serious injury or death has occurred, as well as aggravated offenses for when alcohol or drugs are involved.
The offences will also give the police and harbourmaster the authority to require a breath test of a suspect during the course of an investigation into a serious injury or death.
The report accompanying the ministerial decision explained that the equipment would help “prepare for the proposed amendments to the Inshore Harbour Regulations to take specimens of breath for a seaside breath test where it is suspected a person has committed an offence under the draft proposed Inshore Harbours Regulations whilst unfit through drink or drugs”.
Captain Sadler said: “The purchase of breath testing devices is an important step in making sure we are fully set up and ready before the new Inshore Harbour Regulations come into force.”
He continued: “The equipment we’ve selected is Home Office–approved and already widely used by UK police forces.
“Having it in place, with staff trained and ready, is an important part of ensuring the forthcoming regulations can be properly enforced and that we continue to strengthen maritime safety.”
