Penalties for Boating While Intoxicated

Iowa law establishes the following penalties for boating while intoxicated.

• Upon a first conviction, a person may be fined up to $1,000, jailed for at least 48 hours, and prohibited from operating a vessel for one year.
• Upon a second conviction, a person may be fined up to $5,000, jailed for at least 7 days, and prohibited from operating a vessel for two years.
• Upon the third and subsequent convictions, a person may be fined up to $7,500, jailed for up to one year, and prohibited from operating a vessel for six years.
• In addition, persons convicted of BWI will be assigned to substance abuse evaluation/treatment and must attend a course for drinking drivers.
• Persons convicted of BWI who caused the death or injury of someone will receive severe penalties in addition to those above.