Penalties for Boating While Intoxicated
Vermont law establishes specific penalties for BWI.
- For operators 21 years of age or older, these are the penalties.
- Upon a first conviction of boating while intoxicated, offenders:
- Lose the privilege to operate any vessel (except for a non-motorized canoe or rowboat) for up to 1 year and…
- Must successfully complete an alcohol program at the person’s own expense and…
- Are fined up to $750.
- Upon subsequent convictions, the fine is increased up to $1,000.
- A person boating while intoxicated who causes the death of another person will, upon conviction, be imprisoned for up to 15 years, fined up to $10,000, or both imprisoned and fined.
- A person boating while intoxicated who causes the serious bodily injury of another person will, upon conviction, be imprisoned for up to 15 years, fined up to $5,000, or both imprisoned and fined.
- Upon a first conviction of boating while intoxicated, offenders:
- For operators under 21 years of age, these are the penalties.
- For a first violation, the offender loses the privilege to operate any vessel (except for a non-motorized canoe or rowboat) for at least 6 months and must successfully complete an alcohol program at the person’s own expense.
- For subsequent violations, the privilege to operate a vessel will be lost for 1 year or until the person reaches 21 years of age, whichever is longer.
