The short answer is yes, you can be criminally charged for operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. While every state will vary to some point, there are federal regulations that always apply no matter where you might be partying with your boat. When taking your pontoon out on the lake, you still need a designated driver.
Boating Under the Influence Can Carry Harsher Penalties
In many cases, the penalties for a BUI can be more severe than a simple ticket, fine or suspension of license. In some states, instead of a misdemeanor, boating under the influence can be filed as a felony charge that can include jail time and revocation of your boating license. You should not assume that boating while buzzed will be ignored by the harbor patrol.
Boater's Fatigue Can Aggravate Your Level of Intoxication
It has been found that long hours sitting under the sun, the motion of the boat on water, glare, and dehydration often contribute to a drunk boater's lack of judgment and reflexes, making them far more likely to ignore potential dangers. While it might seem that a lake or the ocean may have less congestion, therefore you are less likely to be involved in an accident, the potential of loss of life and property can be far greater.
Lose Your Driver's License, Too
In some states, the BUI laws allow the courts to suspend your driver's license as well as your boating license. If you operate your boat for commercial purposes, you can lose your source of income. So if you're thinking that a single day of celebration on the water can't affect your daily life, you are probably wrong. Not to mention that you can also open yourself up to lawsuits from anybody else on board who might get injured as a result of driving under the influence.
Party safe this summer. Leave the drinking to your friends and enjoy the sunshine and company on the water.
If you need a DUI lawyer, contact the criminal law firm Mango Law today.