THE BROADS SOCIETY SUPPORTS THE NATIONWIDE RLSS “DON’T DRINK AND DROWN” CAMPAIGN
- Broads Society
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
The “Don’t Drink and Drown” campaign initiated by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS)
aims to reduce drownings related to alcohol and drugs. As another boating season begins,
everyone on the water is encouraged to take responsibility not only for themselves but also
for their friends and family, ensuring everyone remains safe.

RLSS has reported that 26% of the 226 individuals who drowned in England in 2022 were
under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The situation was particularly severe among the 18
to 25 age group, where the proportion rose to 46%. They also indicated that 60% of the
drownings occurred in inland waters, such as the Broads, where a recent inquest revealed
that one victim had consumed more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.
Losing control of a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs has led to several
tragic deaths on the Broads, which is why the Navigation Byelaws specify that “a person
shall not navigate a vessel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs to such an extent as
to be incapable of taking proper control of the vessel.”
More guidance is available on the RLSS website https://www.rlss.org.uk/Pages/Category/dont-drink-and-drown and the Broads Authority has released a series of videos to help inform all boat hirers how to stay safe on the Broads: https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating-the-broads/boating-essentials
Boating can play such an important part in our health and well-being, and everyone should
be encouraged to enjoy themselves while visiting the Broads, whether on land or on the
water. But, as the RLSS says, sensible boating is the fundamental message. Alcohol
hinders judgment and may cause us to become more reckless and uninhibited, even at low
alcohol concentrations in the blood.
A sensible approach to drinking will ensure that visitors return home safely after their trip to
the Broads and revisit this beautiful part of Norfolk very soon, while residents will continue to
enjoy the privilege of navigating Britain’s finest inland waterway for years to come.
STAY SAFE – DON’T DRINK AND DROWN!
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