Can you get a DUI on a boat for being drunk?
You can get a charge for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) for driving with any blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a car, truck, SUV, or comically old microcar. In fact, you can get in serious trouble for intoxication on a bicycle, too. But can you get a similar charge to a DUI for drunkenness on a boat, like a BUI?
The authorities take being drunk on a boat seriously and can slap you with a Boating Under the Influence (BUI) charge
Like operating a car, truck, SUV, or minivan on dry land, you can incur a charge for being under the influence as you pilot a watercraft. Operating a boat or motorized vessel of any kind can land you the equivalent of a DUI for boats, namely a Boating Under the Influence (BUI) charge.
However, that’s not the only name you might find in certain jurisdictions. For instance, some locales may charge you with a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge. Similarly, you may incur a Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) charge. By any name, it means the police or authorities will charge you with a misdemeanor. However, repeat offenses or extenuating circumstances might lead to a felony BUI charge.
Not only can you get a BUI on your favorite outboard pontoon boat or seven-figure cabin cruiser, but you can also end up in hot water for shenanigans in a smaller vessel. According to Super Lawyers, you can land yourself a maritime DUI on your boat regardless of engine size.
Tracey A. Wood, a lawyer with a focus on intoxication charges, had this to say on the subject. “The simple truth is that, if it has a motor, you can’t operate it while intoxicated, period.” It’s a good rule to remember.
Not dissimilar to driving a car on land, authorities can arrest you and charge you with a BUI. Typically, you need a BAC over 0.08 for a BUI arrest. However, beyond what Tracey Wood has to say on the subject, you can get a BUI for the sloppy operation of your engine-free kayak or canoe.
The laws prohibiting boating while intoxicating pertain to “all vessels, including non-motorized vessels such as kayaks,” per WaterSportsWhiz. That means you can’t swill your favorite drinks and head out on your favorite non-motorized water transport. Doing so can land you in seriously hot water (no pun intended).
