Boating While Intoxicated

The Mississippi Alcohol Boating Safety Act prohibits anyone from boating while intoxicated—that is, operating a boat powered by a motor of 25 horsepower or greater or a personal watercraft (PWC) while intoxicated due to alcohol or any combination of alcohol, controlled substance, or drugs. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction times. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities.

The Mississippi Alcohol Boating Safety Act defines intoxicated as being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs such that a person’s thoughts and actions are impaired and he or she has a loss of normal control of faculties to such an extent as to cause danger to others. A concentration of alcohol of 0.08% or more, based upon a chemical analysis of breath, blood, or urine, is evidence that a person is intoxicated.