Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs—Zero Tolerance!

The Georgia Boat Safety Act prohibits anyone from boating under the influence (BUI)—that is, operating any boat, sailboat, personal watercraft, water skis, sailboard, or similar device while intoxicated. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction time. Alcohol contributes to about one-third of all fatal boating accidents nationwide. Read more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol.

• Georgia boating law states the following.
  • It is illegal for those under the age of 21 years to operate a boat or PWC if their blood alcohol level is 0.02% or more.
  • Those 21 years of age or older are considered to be under the influence, and may not operate a boat or PWC, if their blood alcohol level is 0.08% or more or if drugs are detected.
• It also is unlawful for the owner of a vessel to allow anyone else to operate their vessel while that person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• The Georgia Boat Safety Act sets these penalties.
  • Those arrested for boating under the influence may lose their privilege to operate a vessel until they successfully complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program approved by the Georgia Department of Human Resources. They also will be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $1,000 and/or prison time for up to one year.
  • A person found operating a boat or PWC under the influence while a child under the age of 14 years is on board also is guilty of the separate charge of endangering a child.
• By operating a boat or PWC on Georgia waters, you have consented to be tested for alcohol or drugs if requested by a law enforcement official. If you refuse to be tested, you will lose your privilege to operate a boat or PWC for up to one year and your refusal may be offered into evidence against you at a trial.

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).