Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs

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.

• South Carolina law prohibits anyone from operating a moving motorized vessel or vessel under sail on the waters of the state while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs.
• Penalties include a fine of up to $6,000 and up to three years imprisonment. In addition, a person’s privilege to operate any vessel may be suspended for up to two years. Enrollment in and successful completion of an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action course and a South Carolina boating safety course also are required at the person’s expense.
• Felony BUI (boating under the influence) carries penalties of up to a $25,000 fine and 25 years imprisonment.
• A person who operates a vessel is considered to have given consent (“implied consent”) to a chemical test or analysis of his or her breath, blood, or urine.

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).