preview

Pros And Basics Of BUI

Decent Essays
Open Document
All U.S. states have laws against using alcohol and drugs while operating a boat or any other watercraft. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard oversees federal laws against drinking on a boat and arrests people for boating under the influence, or BUI. Conviction of a BUI crime is a serious offense, and it can result in jail time, large monetary fines, suspension of boating and driver’s licenses, and increases in auto and boat insurance premiums.
Increases in BUI Arrests Laws against BUI have been enacted across the country, because operating a boat while intoxicated leads to accidents, deaths, and property damage. The Coast Guard tracks statistics regarding boating accidents and reported 4,158 accidents and 626 deaths…show more content…
States without formal marine law enforcement orders may also set-up BUI checkpoints for questioning and inspecting boat operators and passengers for intoxication while boating. BUI checkpoints operate in much the same way as roadside DUI checkpoints, and this type of enforcement is leading to an increasing number of BUI arrests and convictions. [5].
Basics of BUI Charges The crime of boating under the influence is defined in most states as operating any form of watercraft on a body of water with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or above. A few states define a BUI charge as having a blood alcohol content of .1 percent or above.
In some states it is an additional crime if there is a minor onboard the boat, especially if the minor has a blood alcohol level above .01 percent.
Elements of BUI Charges A person can be convicted of a BUI offense when they are operating any watercraft and are intoxicated to any significant degree by alcohol, drugs, or both.
In most cases, this involves a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher for recreational vessels and .04 percent of higher for commercial vessels.
The crime of BUI applies to all forms of watercraft, including sailboats, speedboats, yachts, fishing boats, jet skis, and commercial vessels.
Get Access
Related
Get Access