Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs
Michigan law prohibits anyone from boating while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs. This includes operating any boat, sailboat,
or personal watercraft. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance,
blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower
reaction times. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities. Read
more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol.
It is also unlawful for the owner of a vessel to allow anyone
else to operate their vessel if that person is under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
The following conditions determine if you are boating under the
influence.
- If your blood alcohol content is 0.10% or greater by
weight of alcohol as determined by a breath, blood, or urine
test, you are considered to be under the influence of alcohol.
- If your blood alcohol content is greater than 0.07%
but less than 0.10% by weight of alcohol as determined by a breath,
blood, or urine test, a law enforcement officer can consider
that fact along with other evidence in determining if you are
under the influence.
Michigan law establishes the following penalties.
- People arrested for boating under the influence are guilty
of a misdemeanor. Upon a third conviction within 10 years, a
person will be guilty of a felony.
- If a person boating under the influence causes great bodily
injury or death of another person, he or she will be guilty of
a felony.
By operating a vessel on Michigan waters, you have consented to be tested for alcohol or drugs if arrested by a law enforcement official.
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Areas of Impairment Due to Blood Alcohol
Content (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 Content (BAC). |
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