How Does Alcohol Use Affect Boat Operators and Passengers?
Alcohol impairs judgment, vision, balance and coordination, and boating conditions make the effects worse. The US Coast Guard says there is no safe threshold for drinking and operating a boat, and that alcohol is involved in about a third of recreational boating fatalities.
Free download
Standard Drinks Cheat Sheet (PDF): How many US standard drinks and UK units are in beer, wine, spirits and liqueurs, by can, glass and bottle. 33 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Effects on the operator
The Coast Guard says alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. Motion, sun, wind and spray make impairment worsen faster than on land.
Risks for passengers
Passengers face a greatly increased risk of injury and death, especially if they are also using alcohol. In alcohol-related boating deaths, over half the victims capsized their boats and/or fell overboard.
Cold water danger
Alcohol can create a false sense of warmth, which may delay getting out of cold water before hypothermia sets in. Inner ear effects can make it hard to tell which way is up in the water.
The law
Boating under the influence is illegal in every state and under federal law. Penalties include large fines, suspension or revocation of operator privileges, and jail terms. The Coast Guard may end a voyage, arrest the operator or hold them until sober. It also estimates an operator above 0.10 BAC is more than 10 times as likely to die in a boating accident as one at zero. State rules differ, so ask a lawyer about a specific case.
People also ask
Is it illegal to drink and operate a boat?
Boating under the influence is illegal in every state and under federal law, according to the US Coast Guard.
Is there a safe amount of alcohol when boating?
The Coast Guard says there is no safe threshold for drinking and operating a boat.
Can a passenger be at risk if the driver is sober?
Yes. The Coast Guard says passengers face a higher risk of injury and death, especially if they also drink.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
