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.
Louisiana law prohibits anyone from operating a vessel of any
kind or manipulating water skis, a surfboard, or similar device
while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. A person is
considered to be intoxicated if he or she:
- Has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater and
is 21 years of age or older or ...
- Has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% or greater and
is under 21 years of age.
The law also prohibits the owner or person in charge of a vessel
from knowingly allowing a person who is intoxicated or under the
influence of drugs to operate the vessel.
Penalties for operating a vessel of any kind or manipulating
water skis, a surfboard, or similar device while intoxicated or
under the influence of drugs include a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment
up to six months, or both without suspension of sentence.
By operating a vessel on Louisiana waters, you have consented
to be tested for alcohol or drugs if arrested by a law enforcement
officer.
Any arrest for DUI while boating will affect your automobile
driving privileges.
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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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