A man has been charged after allegedly crashing a boat at Tweed Heads while more than four times the legal blood alcohol limit.
Emergency crews were called to the Tweed River, near the entrance of Jack Evans Boat Harbour, around 1.30pm on Sunday following reports a 14-metre-long houseboat had run aground after it crashed into the break wall.
Officers had to attach several tow lines to the vessel in order to pull the boat off the rocks.
A 45-year-old man was also rescued from the vessel and subjected to a breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.
The man was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was subjected to a breath analysis which returned an alleged reading of 0.244 – more than four times the legal limit.
He was charged with operate recreational vessel negligently and operate vessel with high range PCA.
Marine Area Commander Acting Superintendent Siobhan Munro said boat users often overlook marine safety issues while they are on the water.
“Driving a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime just like on our roads,” Acting Superintendent Siobhan Munro said.
“Dangerous boat driving may harm others and as we have already seen this summer lives can be lost,”
“Our message is clear. Do not drink alcohol when you drive a boat.
“The Marine Area Command regularly patrol all the States waterways conducting random drug and alcohol testing and anyone operating a vessel under the influence or in a dangerous manner will be brought before the court.”
The man was issued a court attendance notice to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court on January 27.
