What action should an officer take if they detect a strong odor of alcohol from a watercraft?

When a law enforcement officer detects a strong odor of alcohol from a watercraft, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure safety and compliance with the law. Investigating further with a sobriety test is the appropriate course of action because the presence of an alcohol odor suggests that the operator may be under the influence, which could impair their ability to operate the craft safely.

Conducting sobriety tests can provide objective evidence of the operator's impairment, allowing the officer to determine whether further action is necessary, such as arrest or citation. This approach also aligns with the responsibility of police officers to uphold public safety on waterways, which can be just as crucial as it is on land.

While cooperation from the operator and identification are important, they do not adequately address the potential risk associated with boating under the influence. Ignoring the situation based solely on cooperation does not ensure the safety of the operator or others on the water. Therefore, pursuing a sobriety test allows for a comprehensive assessment of the operator's fitness to navigate the watercraft.