Most citizens know there are various laws in place within each state to protect drivers, passengers and the overall community from drunk drivers. However, some people are unaware there are similar laws involving boating. Both state and federal laws are in place to prohibit Boating Under The Influence (BUI) and these laws permit officials to stop any boat or watercraft to ensure the operator and passengers are safe and sober.
The main motivation for states to start passing Boating Under The Influence laws was due to the fact the percentage of alcohol related boating accidents began to rise rapidly. Statistics show that over half of the boating accidents in the United States involve drugs or alcohol. In addition, the Insurance Information Institute reveals the leading factor contributing to fatal boating accidents is alcohol.
Boating Under The Influence laws apply to those operating a fishing boat, a yacht, personal watercraft, a sailboat, a sailboard or any other watercraft. State laws traditionally define drunk boating crimes as: the operation of a watercraft on a body of water while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Some states include the limits of a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent while others are somewhat higher at 0.1 percent. In some states, the laws state if there is a minor who has been drinking and has any amount of alcohol in their blood-alcohol concentration, a BUI can be given.
Expensive fines, the addition of the charge to your criminal record, the loss of your boating license, the loss of your driver’s license and a hike in your insurance rates are all common consequences of a BUI. In addition, jail time can be part of the sentence.
What To Expect After Getting A BUI
The serious consequences related to a BUI charge is due to the fact a boating accident can lead to death or injury of the operator or passengers. These laws carry stiff punishments, much larger than a simple traffic ticket and they apply to both commercial and recreational boaters.
If you’ve been charged with a BUI and you’re a recreational boater, you can expect to have your boating license revoked or suspended. Often, the judge will also take away your driver’s license. Things like if you had minors on board, what number of offense this is for you and the details on whether anyone was injured can determine the rest of your punishment. If you’re a commercial boater and you are charged with a BUI, you can even lose your job.
Avoid Boating Under The Influence Consequences
* Get Educated: Whether you are in your home state or are traveling to boat, be sure you educate yourself beforehand on the local regulations involving alcohol in a boat. Some states will vary in their regulations on whether open containers of alcohol can be present on a watercraft.
* Get A Lawyer: If you are charged with a BUI, it’s important to talk immediately with a lawyer. The process of defending against a BUI charge can be complicated and finding a lawyer who specialized in boating laws can be helpful.
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