Boating is, without a doubt, a relaxing and fun activity. There is something about been under the sun on a beautiful day on a boat that makes you crave an adult drink. I know I’ve been on that boat (pun intended)
So can you drink on a boat? Yes, you can drink alcohol on a boat. It is not illegal for the passengers, but just like driving a car boating under the influence (BUI) is indeed unlawful. Boaters must comply with state laws.
At the end of the day we all want the same thing, enjoy the day and have fun with our family and friends. I want to share with you a few things that I learned about boating and drinking.
What Is The Legal Alcohol Limit For Driving A Boat?
The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% on most states, with the exception been North Dakota with a legal bold alcohol limit of 0.10%. The penalties can be very severe and also vary from state to state. With some states been more severe than others.
You can expect hefty fines, completion of a boating safety course, lose your boat, and even jail time if you get caught driving yo your boat under the influence. You can find state by state information here.
Can I Drink On My Boat?
Like I said before, drinking on your boat is not illegal. However, by mixing boating and drinking, you open the door and expose yourself to some serious problems and even more significant consequences. Take a look at the table below, it shows some severe consequences of irresponsible drinking while boating.
ALCOHOL USE AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN ACCIDENTS & CASUALTIES BY STATE 2014-2018
| 2014 | 2016 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| Accidents | 345 | 306 | 350 | 323 | 309 |
| Injuries | 302 | 258 | 335 | 225 | 275 |
| Deaths | 137 | 122 | 133 | 118 | 119 |
Can passengers On A Boat Drink Alcohol?
Alcohol laws for boats are different than for cars. Passengers are allowed to drink while on a boat. Even the boat operator is permitted ( even dough he or she shouldn’t) as long as he or she doesn’t go over the 0.08% blood alcohol limit.
Keep in mind that although drinking on a boat is legal, there are rules and laws that still must be followed in the water. For example, there should never be any underage drinking on your boat.
Also, keep in mind that drunk passengers can become a hazard for the boat driver or could end up seriously injured on your boat. I believe that as the captain, it is your responsibility to return everybody safe to the dock at the end of the day.
Do boats get you drunk faster?
Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land. The marine environment motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray accelerates a drinker’s impairment. These stressors cause fatigue that makes a boat operator’s coordination, judgment and reaction time decline even faster when using alcohol.
U.S. Coast Guard
As you can see, technically been on a boat does indeed make you drunk faster. The heat of the sun combined with all the other factors such as the motion of the boat, loud noises from the engine or music, and the marine environment in general work against you.
All of these are unusual circumstances for most people, even if you own a boat. In fact, average boaters spend about 110 hours on their boats per year. If you think about it, 110 hours a year means that out of the 365 days in a year, your average between 10 to 20 days boating.
This is why not only you and your passengers will probably get drunk faster on a boat, but the chances of an accident will be higher on a boat.
Most boaters on your local sand bar are probably not super experienced, and some will be beginners that might think its a good idea to drink while boating.
What Happens When You Get A BUI?
According to the Varcarcel Law Firm, this is some of the possible consequences in Florida. Keep in mind that they are very similar and even more severe in other states.
The operator of a boat found to have a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) higher than 0.08 percent or to be impaired by drugs can be fined between $500 and $1,000 for a first BUI (boating under the influence) offense. A second BUI conviction results in a fine no less $1,000 and up to $2,000. The operator also faces up to 6 months in jail for a first offense and up to 9 months in jail for a second conviction. It is important to note the punishment for these offenses are harsher if the operator has a BAC higher than 0.15 percent.
Varcarcel Law
If the same boat operator in Florida is convicted of a third BUI within 10 years of the previous conviction, then the offense is a third-degree felony and punishable by up to 5 or 10 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. However, a third offense that occurs more than 10 years after the previous conviction will result in a fine less than $5,000 and no more than 1 year in prison.
A fourth or subsequent BUI, no matter how much time has occurred between it and the previous conviction results in a third-degree felony.
If the court finds it appropriate, it can sentence a defendant to serve his or her term of imprisonment in a residential alcohol or drug abuse treatment program.
As you can see, the consequences of drinking while boating are very severe and with good reason. You can seriously injure yourself, your passengers, or a fellow boater.
What To Do If People Are Drinking On Your Boat?
Remember that the conditions while boating can usually accelerate the getting drunk proses. As we covered above, the motion of the boat combined with the heat, laud notices, and other factors can make you indeed get drunk faster.
You already know that it is essential to stay hydrated. Still, the problem is that a lot of times, once people start consuming alcohol and get the party going, they forget to drink water.
A good idea is to set a reminder on your phone every hour. This will remind you and your guests to drink water, eat fruit, or just put something in their belly other than alcohol. To keep hydrated.
Keep food and or snacks available and handy. When you drink alcohol on an empty belly, alcohol is absorbed through the stomach lining faster. If you keep some food on your stomach, the alcohol will be absorbed into your bloodstream rather slowly.
Set an hourly limit on alcohol consumption. This will give everyone the freedom of drinking; however, it will reduce the chance of people getting drunk by decreasing the amount of alcohol consumed every hour.
Related Questions
Can you operate a boat with a DUI? Unfortunately for some and fortunately for others, yes, you can operate a boat with a DUI. The reason being that most states don require a boating license; however, if you are born after 1988, a boating safety course must be completed.
Can you have open containers on a boat? Yes, open containers are allowed on a boat. Consuming alcohol on a boat is not illegal. What is unlawful is to operate a vessel with a blood-alcohol level greater than .08%
Can you operate an automobile with a BUI? You can definitely lose your driving privileges if convicted of BUI. Check the information on the U.S. Coast Guard website as it varies from state to state.