Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs
Maryland law prohibits anyone from boating under the influence
(BUI). This includes operating any vessel while under the influence
of or impaired by alcohol and/or 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.
Maryland law states that a person is considered to be boating under
the influence (BUI) if he or she:
- Has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater or …
- Is impaired by alcohol or …
- Is so far impaired by any drug, combination of drugs, or combination
of one or more drugs and alcohol that he or she cannot operate
a vessel safely or …
- Is impaired by any controlled dangerous substance.
Maryland law establishes the following penalties for boating
under the influence:
- Upon a first conviction, a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment
for up to one year, or both
- Upon a second conviction, a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment
for up to two years, or both
- Upon a third conviction, a fine of up to $3,000, imprisonment
for up to three years, or both
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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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