Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs

Rhode Island law prohibits anyone from boating while intoxicated (BWI). This includes the operation of any powerboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, water skis, sailboard, or similar device. Intoxicated means a person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or drugs such that his or her thoughts or actions are impaired, causing a danger to others. 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.

Rhode Island law sets the blood alcohol limit for boating while intoxicated at 0.08% or greater. Penalties are set according to the level of alcohol that is detected.

Rhode Island law also establishes penalties for boating while intoxicated.

• First conviction for offenders carries a fine of up to $500, a $500 assessment fee, imprisonment for up to one year, required community service of up to 60 hours, loss of operating privileges for up to six months, and required attendance at a boating safety course and/or an alcohol/drug treatment class. The severity of the penalties varies based on the offender’s BAC.
• Operating a vessel while operating privileges are suspended carries additional penalties, including imprisonment and loss of operating privileges for two more years.
• Subsequent convictions within a five-year period carry higher fines and other severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to five years and seizure of the offender’s vessel.

By operating a vessel on Rhode Island waters, you have consented to be tested for alcohol and/or drugs if requested by a law enforcement official. Refusal to submit to testing carries an automatic fine of $300, a $700 assessment fee, up to 60 hours of community service, loss of boating privileges for one year, and required attendance at a boating safety course and/or an alcohol/drug treatment class. Penalties will increase substantially with subsequent offenses.

Recent studies have shown evidence that alcohol levels as low as 0.01% can affect a person’s ability to operate a vessel safely.

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).