can you get a DUI/DWI...?

Question

on a sailboat?

What if it is anchored, sails down?

Is there any way I can sail for a day and have a few drinks....maybe in international waters????

Answer 1

Check your local marina laws

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

In Canada you can get a DUI on a sailboat if you are operating it. If it is anchored, sails down then no. You can drink on your boat here in Ontario if it is anchored and you have a head and cooking facilities on board (this makes it your "residence"). Hmmm....international waters I'm not sure, coastguard might know?

Answer 4

Basically it would be called BWI here in Texas (boating while intoxicated) not DUI/DWI. As far as having your boat anchored is concerned, you must have ta MOVING violation to get a BWI in Texas and whether you were "moving" or not (because even anchored down your boat could "move" in the water) then that would be a fact determination for the courts to decide (judge or jury) if you were arrested and charged with a BWI, in Texas for example. Also, you must prove intentionally or knowingly operating a boat while intoxicated as well as all the elements of the case to prove a BWI case here in Texas.

Remember, it is not having a few drinks as to whether or not you are intoxicated or not but whether you were intoxicated while operating the boat on the water! Three ways to prove intoxication here in Texas: Loss of the normal use of your mental facilities and/or loss of the normal use of your physical facilities and/or a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater.

The prosecutor only has to prove one of the three things above to prove intoxication. Jurors do not have to agree on which of the three they thought proved the defendant was intoxicated (2 could say the defendant lost his mental facilities, 2 jurors could say the defendant lost his physical facilities and 2 could say the defendant blowing into the breathalyzer with a bac .08 proved defendant was intoxicated to them).

International waters have international laws. I cannot speak to what might happen in international waters only to matters here in Texas.

Answer 5

California has specific statutes prohibiting operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol. If the boat is moored, the law would not be violated, nor does California have jurisdiction in international waters. Some states prohibit being under the influence in an automobile with the engine running; I do not know whether such states have a similar provision for water craft.

Answer 6

as long as you are not in control of the boat , while anchored, sails down no you can't get a DUI because it is like your house, I lived on a boat for several years had plenty of parties on it and never got a DUI

Answer 7

In QLD, Australia a guy was charged with drink driving, and reckless endangerment of life with a vehicle, after a woman fell out of his boat and drowned.

If she didn't fall out of the boat, he probably wouldn't have been caught.

You can risk having a few drinks and then sailing back in, but do you want to risk the lives of your passengers? You have to take responsibility for your actions, just like driving a car.

Answer 8

Yes at least I know in several places its labeled a BUI ( boating under the influence ) and from what ive seen its treated with about the same seriousness as driving under the influence.

Answer 9

Yes you can get a DUI or a DWI. Your operating a motorized vehicle. DONT DO IT

Answer 10

Call your Local Coast Guard station, they could tell you.