Boating Under the Influance

It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs no matter which state you are in. Just like the police on land, the Coast Guard enforces a federal law that prohibits Boating while Under the Influence (BUI). This law pertains to boats from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships in the water. It also includes foreign vessels that operate in U.S. waters, as well as U.S. vessels on the high seas.

Dangers of BUI

As we have all been told at one point or another, alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. According to U.S. Coast Guard data, boating deaths that involved alcohol use, over half of the victims capsized their boats and/or fell overboard.

The marine environment makes alcohol even more hazardous on the water than on land due to the motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray which accelerates a drinkers impairment. This environment also causes fatigue which makes a boat operators coordination, judgment and reaction time decline even faster when using alcohol.

Inexperience and less confidence make alcohol use on a boat more dangerous. People tend to be more confident on the highway than in a boat. With averaging approximately 110 hours on the water per year, recreational boaters do not have the benefit of experiencing daily boat operation.

Tips for Avoiding BUI

While boating, fishing and other water sports are fun and extremely popular activities, combining them with alcohol can turn a great day into a tragedy of a lifetime.

Consider these alternatives to using alcohol while on the water:

• Take along a variety of cool drinks such as sodas, water iced tea, lemonade or non-alcoholic beer.
• Bring plenty of food and snacks.
• Wear clothing that will keep everyone cool.
• Since it is common to become tired more quickly on the water, plan to limit your trip to a reasonable time to avoid fatigue.
• If you want to make alcohol part of your days entertainment, plan to have a party ashore at the dock, in a picnic area, at a boating club, or in your backyard. Choose a location where youll have time between the fun and getting back into your car or boat.
• If you dock somewhere for lunch or dinner and drink alcohol with your meal, wait a reasonable amount of time (minimum of one hour per drink) before operating your boat.
• The safest way to enjoy the water is not to have alcohol aboard. Intoxicated passengers are also at risk of injury and falls overboard.
• Let everyone you know about the dangers of BUI. A boat is a vehicle and safe operation is a legal and personal responsibility.

Personal Floating Devices (PFD)

All recreational boats must carry one wearable PFD (Type 1, II, III or Type V PFD) for each person on board. A Type V PFD provides performance of a Type I, II or III PFD (as marked on its label) and must be used according to the label requirements. Any boat 16 ft. and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one throwable PFD (Type IV PFD).

PFDs must be Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition and the appropriate size for the intended user.

PFD Accessibility

• Wearable PFDs must be readily accessible.
• You must be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.).
• They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them.
• The best PFD is the one you will wear. Though not required, a PFD should be worn at all times when the vessel is underway. A wearable PFD can save your life, but only if you wear it.
• Throwable devices must be immediately available for use.

Inflatable PFDs

• Inflatable PFDs may be more comfortable to wear.
• The best PFD is the one you will wear.
• Inflatable PFDs require the user to pay careful attention to the condition of the device.
• Inflatable PFDs must have a full cylinder and all status indicators on the inflator must be green or the device is NOT serviceable and does NOT satisfy the requirement to carry PFDs.
• Coast Guard Approved Inflatable PFDs are authorized for use on recreational boats by person at least 16 years of age.

PFD Requirements for Children

Some states require that children wear PFDs:

• Applies to children of specific ages
• Applies to certain sizes of boats
• Applies to specific boating operations

Check with your state boating safety officials.

Child PFD approvals are based on the childs weight. Check the User Weight on the label, or the approval statement that will read something like Approved for use on recreational boats and uninspected commercial vessels not carrying passengers for hire, by persons weighing ____ lbs. They can also be marked less than 30, 30 to 50, less than 50, or 50 to 90.

PFD Requirements for Certain Boating Activities Under State Laws

The Coast Guard recommends and many states require wearing PFDs:

• For water skiing and other towed activities (use a PFD marked for water skiing).
• While operating personal watercraft (PWC) (use a PFD marked for water skiing or PWC use).
• During white water boating activities.
• While sailboarding (under Federal law sailboards are not boats).

Federal law does not require PFDs on racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks; state laws vary. Check with your state boating safety officials.

If you are boating in an area under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, or a federal, state, or local park authority, other rules may apply.

PFD Flotation

There are three basic kinds of PFD flotation in PFDs with the following characteristics:

Inherently Buoyant (primarily Foam)

• The most reliable
• Adult, Youth, Child, and Infant sizes
• For swimmers and non-swimmers
• Wearable and throwable styles
• Some designed for water sports

Inflatable

• The most compact
• Sizes only for adults
• Only recommended for swimmers
• Wearable styles only
• Some with the best in-water performance

Hybrid (Foam & Inflation)

• Reliable
• Adult, Youth, and Child sizes
• For swimmers & non-swimmers
• Wearable styles only
• Some designed for water sports