Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs

Arizona law prohibits anyone from operating a motor-powered vessel while under the influence of alcohol or any drug that causes the person to be even slightly impaired. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction times. Alcohol contributes to about one-third of all fatal boating accidents nationwide. Read more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol.

• A person is considered to be operating under the influence (OUI) of alcohol if he or she has an alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater as determined by a test of his or her breath, blood, or urine. “Extreme OUI” is blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% and higher.
• If convicted of OUI or “Extreme OUI,” a person can be fined up to $2,500 and jailed for up to six months. Subsequent convictions and “Aggravated OUI” may carry even more severe penalties.
• By operating a vessel on Arizona waters, you have consented to be tested for alcohol or drugs if arrested by a law enforcement officer for alleged violations under Arizona Watercraft Statutes.

The best thing you can do for your safety and the safety of your passengers and other boaters is simple ... Don't drink and boat!

Areas of Impairment Due to Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Because you can drink faster than your system can burn off the alcohol, there is an increasing level of alcohol in your blood. This level is referred to as Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).