Erin Brockovich Sorry About 'Drunken Boating'

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich has apologised after she was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in charge of a boat at Lake Mead near Las Vegas.

A game warden spotted the 52-year-old, portrayed by Julia Roberts in a 2000 movie, struggling as she attempted to moor her boat at Las Vegas Boat Harbour near Boulder City.

The warden noticed Ms Brockovich "exhibited several signs of an intoxicated boater" and tests later showed she had a blood-alcohol level twice the legal driving limit.

Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesman Edwin Lyngar said: "She was obviously struggling to put the boat in the slip, and if you've had any experience, it's a simple enough operation.

"Too many people think drinking and boating go together. We don't have a problem if people drink. Just have a designated operator."

He added that she had been out on the boat on Lake Mead with a male companion but was alone when she tried to dock the boat.

Ms Brockovich was released from the Clark County jail after posting \$1,000 bail.

In a statement, she stressed that she did not operate the boat in open waters and "there was no public safety risk".

"That being said, I take drunk driving very seriously, this was clearly a big mistake, I know better and I am very sorry," she added.

"After a day in the sun and with nothing to eat it appears that a couple of drinks had a greater impact than I had realised."

Julia Roberts won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance as Ms Brockovich in her battle over the pollution of a California town.