Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs
North Dakota law prohibits anyone from boating under the influence—that is, operating any vessel or manipulating water skis, a surfboard, or any similar device while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or a combination of both.
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.
- North Dakota law states that a person is presumed to be boating under the influence (BUI) if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10% or higher.
- Persons convicted of BUI in North Dakota may:
- Receive a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a sentence of 30 days in jail and …
- Lose their privileges to operate a vessel for a period of time.
- By operating a vessel on North Dakota waters, you have consented to a sobriety test if requested by a law enforcement officer who has probable cause that you are under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or a combination of both. Refusal to submit to testing may result in BUI penalties.
- North Dakota law does not prohibit people of legal drinking age from consuming alcoholic beverages or possessing open containers in a boat.
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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). |
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