Section 3: Legal Requirements; Law Enforcement; Operator's License; Boating Under The Influence - Nauticstar Legacy Series Owner's Manual

LEGACY SERIES OWNER'S MANUAL

SECTION 3: LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

LAW ENFORCEMENT

A vessel underway, when hailed by a Coast Guard vessel, is required to heave to, or maneuver in such a manner that permits
a boarding officer to come aboard. Other federal, state, and local law enforcement officials may board and examine a vessel.
The Coast Guard may impose a civil penalty up to $1,000 for failure to comply with equipment requirements; failure to report
a boating accident; or comply with other federal regulations. Failure to comply with the Inland Navigation Rules Act of 1980
can result in a civil penalty up to $5,000. Details of the Act are available online or through the U.S. Coast Guard and the Coast
Guard Auxiliary.

OPERATOR'S LICENSE

Some states are implementing operator's license requirements. These requirements vary widely. Many states now have
restrictions regarding age. If you are operating in a location where minors are allowed to operate the boat, careful
supervision by an adult should be the rule of thumb always. Whether operating a boat locally or in a remote location, operators
should annually verify with state and local authorities regarding whether a license or training is required.

BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be as deadly as driving a car while under the influence! Did you know:
• A boat operator is likely to become impaired more quickly than a vehicle driver, drink for drink.
• The penalties for BUI can include large fines, revocation of operator privileges and serious jail time.
• The use of alcohol is involved in about one-third of all recreational boating fatalities.
It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. The Coast Guard also enforces a
federal law that prohibits BUI. Alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. These impairments increase the
likelihood of accidents afloat for both boat operators and passengers. U.S. Coast Guard data shows that in boating deaths
involving alcohol use, over half the victims capsized their boats and/or fell overboard. Alcohol is even more hazardous on
the water than on land. The marine environment of motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray accelerate a drinker's
impairment. These stressors cause fatigue that makes a boat operator's coordination, judgment and reaction time decline
even faster when using alcohol. As a result of alcohol's effects, a boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration of
approximately .10 percent is estimated to be more than 10 times as likely to die in a boating accident than an operator with
zero blood alcohol concentration. Passengers are also at greatly increased risk for injury or death, especially if they are also
using alcohol. The Coast Guard and every state has stringent penalties for violating BUI laws. Penalties can include fines,
suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges, and jail time. The Coast Guard and individual states cooperate fully in
enforcement of BUI laws in order to remove impaired boat operators from the waters. In waters that are overseen solely by
the states, the states have the authority to enforce their own BUI statutes. In state waters that are also subject to U.S.
jurisdiction, there is concurrent jurisdiction. That means if a boater is apprehended under Federal law in these waters, the
Coast Guard will (unless precluded by state law) request that state law enforcement officers take the intoxicated boater into
custody. Depending on the circumstances, the operator may be arrested. Penalties vary, but in many jurisdictions, operators
found guilty of BUI can expect a civil penalty of at least $1,000 or criminal penalty of $5,000, one year of imprisonment or
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