Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs
Utah law prohibits anyone from boating under the influence (BUI). This includes the operation of any motorized vessel while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substance or both. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slow reaction time. Alcohol contributes to about one-third of all boating accidents nationwide. Read
more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol.
Utah law states that a person is boating under the influence if
he or she:
- Has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 grams or greater or …
- Is under the influence of alcohol and/or any drug to a degree that renders him or her incapable of safely operating the vessel.
A person under 21 years of age may not operate a motorized vessel with any measurable amount of alcohol in his or her body.
A conviction for boating under the influence (BUI) can mean:
- Jail time and …
- Large fines and …
- Cancellation or rate hikes on your vessel insurance.
A person may not drink any alcoholic beverage while operating a motorized vessel. It is also illegal to carry any alcoholic beverage on board a motorized vessel if the beverage container has been opened, its seal broken or partially consumed, and it is within reach of the operator.
By operating on Utah waters, you have given “implied” consent to alcohol testing if an officer has grounds to believe you are boating under the influence. Refusal to be tested is admissible in court and may result in the loss of your motor vehicle driver license.
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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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