As the weather continues to warm up during the summer, more and more people will be spending time on boats and enjoying the many rivers and lakes in Wisconsin. Boating can be a fun and relaxing activity, and it often involves the consumption of alcohol. However, boat operators should be aware that the same laws apply to them as to drivers of motor vehicles. This means that if a person operates a boat while they are under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances, they could face criminal charges of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).
Penalties for Boating Under the Influence in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s OWI laws apply to those who operate motorboats. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of .08% is in effect for boat operators, and a person may be charged with a criminal offense if a chemical test shows that they were above this limit while engaging in the operation of a motorboat. The legal limit for commercial motorboat operators is .04%. Boat operators may also face criminal charges if they have any amount of an illegal controlled substance in their system, and those who are under the age of 21 may be charged if they have a BAC higher than 0.0%
Operating a boat while under the influence is commonly referred to as boating while intoxicated or BWI. A person may be charged with this offense if they exceed the legal BAC limits or if they refuse to take a chemical test for alcohol or other substances. The penalties for BWI include:
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