It's the Law: On the Water with Your Vessel

Alcohol and Drugs

The Mississippi Alcohol Boating Safety Act prohibits anyone from operating a vessel powered by a motor of 25 horsepower or greater while intoxicated due to alcohol or any combination of alcohol, controlled substance, or drugs.

• The Mississippi Alcohol Boating Safety Act defines intoxicated as being under the influence of alcohol and/ or drugs such that a person’s thoughts and actions are impaired and he or she has a loss of normal control of faculties to such an extent as to cause danger to others. A concentration of alcohol of 0.10% or more, based upon a chemical analysis of breath, blood, or urine, is evidence that a person is intoxicated.
• The Mississippi Alcohol Boating Safety Act establishes the following penalties.
  • Those arrested and convicted of boating while intoxicated may be fined up to $1,000 and jailed for two days for a first conviction.
  • Upon a second conviction within five years, a person may be fined and jailed, and also will lose the privilege of operating a vessel for one year. More severe penalties exist for additional convictions.
  • A person boating while intoxicated who causes the death or serious injury of another person will, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony.
• By operating a vessel on Mississippi waters, you have consented to be tested for alcohol or drugs if requested by a law enforcement official. If you refuse, you will be subject to arrest and punishment consistent with the penalties described above and lose your privilege of operating a vessel for at least one year.

Just remember this simple rule: Don't drink and boat!