A jury found Daniel Bowling guilty of operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol to the extent it was less safe for him to do so.1 He appeals from his conviction, claiming the evidence was insufficient to show that he was a less safe driver, or that he was less safe as a result of being under the influence of alcohol. We disagree and affirm his conviction. On appeal the evidence is viewed in a light most favorable to the verdict, and an appellant no longer enjoys a presumption of innocence; moreover, this Court determines evidence sufficiency and does not weigh the evidence or determine the credibility of witnesses.2 The jury’s verdict must be upheld if any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.3
Viewing the evidence in the proper light, it shows that an officer with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources was patrolling Lake Lanier when he observed a boat traveling at night without a stern light. The officer pulled alongside the vessel and told the driver, Bowling, that he was stopping the boat because of the light violation. The officer proceeded to conduct a safety inspection, and asked Bowling to produce a lifejacket for each person on board, a “throwable” lifesaving device, a fire extinguisher, and the boat’s registration.4 Bowling had difficulty trying to find some of the items, and was unable to produce the registration or a throwable lifesaving device. The officer testified that Bowling seemed confused while looking for the items. Bowling said he thought the registration card was in the glove compartment, but instead of looking there, he looked around the driver’s seat for the card. The officer testified that Bowling asked to use the officer’s flashlight, even though Bowling had just looked straight at the floor where there was a large spotlight. The officer noticed an empty wine glass on the floorboard of the boat, and detected an odor of alcohol coming from the boat. He asked Bowling if he had been drinking. Bowling said he had not.
