Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (BUI) - California DUI Law and Legal Information

Request Free Consultation
with a DUI Attorney

For more information about driving under the influence or drunk driving, please contact our office today!

Complete the form and a lawyer or representative from The Law Office of Robert Tayac will contact you shortly.

The transmission of this e-mail inquiry regarding a California DUI or DMV case or any other legal matter does not create an attorney-client relationship with any lawyer or lawyers of The Law Office of Robert Tayac. The only way to create an attorney-client relationship with any lawyer or lawyers of this law firm is by signing a written legal services agreement and complying with its terms.

Sailboats Near Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay

Many California boaters are unaware that operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense in California. Boating under the influence carries serious consequences, including fines and possible jail time. Any California boater facing charges of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs should consult with a California criminal defense lawyer experienced in defending BUI cases.

Boating under the influence, or BUI, is covered under California's Harbors and Navigation Code. The code defines being under the influence as having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent for a recreational vessel and .04 percent for a commercial craft. For watercraft such as aquaplanes and water skis, there is zero tolerance, meaning that the user cannot ingest any alcohol at all.

Call 415-552-6000 for a Free Consultation

Our California DUI law office provides free consultations.
Attorneys for this DUI law firm represent clients accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or driving with a blood or breath alcohol level at or above the legal limit in San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Sonoma and Napa counties
Feel free to contact our office today!

In many ways, boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be even more dangerous that driving under the influence. In substantial quantities, alcohol negatively impacts judgment, balance, coordination, and vision, and increases the likelihood of risk-taking behavior. According to the United States Coast Guard, over half the victims in boating deaths involving alcohol use capsized their boats or fell overboard.

Boats are inferior to cars in their ability to brake and steer. In addition, a typical boat operator spends only a few days a year on the water, and is far less skilled at operating watercraft than a motor vehicle. Considering the motion and spray typical of most boating outings, along with fatigue and alcohol consumption, the potential for danger is obvious.

A conviction for boating under the influence in California counts as a prior conviction in future driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) cases. This means that if a person is convicted of boating under the influence, and is arrested for DUI on land or water within 10 years, the DUI will be considered a second drunk driving offense.

Boating under the influence charges can be fought and won with the help of excellent legal counsel. A California criminal defense attorney experienced in defending BUI cases will launch an aggressive defense designed to keep consequences to a minimum.