Question for Michigan Boaters?
 

I don't want this to sound like I can't have fun without drinking, but how many of you drink or allow passengers to drink while boating? In Michigan our DNR law says .10 is legally drunk while boating. However, it seems like I'm always hearing stories about people getting busted for drinking on there boats. Some sheriffs tell me that you can't drink unless you have a full head on board, others tell me you can drink but not while you're actually moving. I spend a lot of time out on the islands around the St. Clair river and everyone drinks, but the coast guard just hovers around waiting for people to leave, then they chase them down and check their whole boat out. I do allow passengers to drink and I too will have a couple throughout the day, but by no means do I get drunk. What has been your guys' experience with this? If your passengers are legally drunk can they get busted? I know I'm just paranoid, but the law reads so open ended that it kind of leaves it up to each officers own discretion how they choose to handle the situation. I just don't want a whole lot of unnecessary trouble over a few drinks.
Thanks:drink:

I have gotten a BWI before - not fun. I believe it is legal to drink and drive as long as you are under the limit. I usually drink once we have stopped and then have one of my friends or fiancee drive me home. I enjoy driving, but sometimes I really just like to get drunk and go for a ride. My passengers always drink.

In TX the implied consent law (don't blow and you go to jail) does not apply if your boat is under 50hp.

It's actually .08 is legally drunk in Grand Haven, MI. They try to pull the no tolerence but I believe your allowed to have a beer if you want. I might be wrong and yes your passengers can drink.

Offshore Whore are you talking about in a car or boat?

Check out this link

http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/course/p4-5_alcoholdrugs.htm

Hey Texoma, I wish I could outrun the coast guard. They've got boats that will hit 90 easy, mine won't! :mad:

The laws vary greatly from autos and boats in Mich. You can have open containers in boats, not in auto.
Levels of influence are different. Boats 1.0 and autos 0.8
For the most part they will not bother you if you do not promote any issues. You will always have a few officers that will look for issues.

Never ever have a open beer in view of the police or USCG. Since they can do a safety inspection any time and once they board they may decide you need a breathalizer test.

Also don't try to outrun a police or USCG boat. I tried once and soon realized they have more then one and know how to plot a intercepting course.
Fortunatly I was not drinking and only got a expensive wake violation out of the chase.

ed

Just dont be a ****, boat and have a good time.........

When ya start acting like a ass you deserve to be pulled over and inspected...

here in Toledo (almost michigan) enforcement varies tremndously, usually they leave you alone. but on occasion like when they have big things going on downtown like fireworks and theres a lot of boats with nowhere to go, they will go nuts checking as many boats as possible. got my friend for a BWI in his 26 crownline ltd, then made my other friend drive (who was more f'd up than the first friend). the really stupid part is that we all KNEW they were going to be doing it days ahead of time.

I do not care what the state says MI, NJ, FL or wherever, I have a zero tolerance policy on my boat. I do not drink on or before using my boat, my passengers do not drink on my boat, in fact, I do not allow any alcohol on my boat, even closed containers in a cooler.

Ultimately I am responsible for the safety of those on or around my boat, so I set the rules.

In Michigan:

The legal limit on the water is .10, on land it is .08

A drunk boating charge does not transfer to your drivers license, it is a seperate offense

You are perfectly legal to drink while driving so long as you are not drunk. Keep in mind that if they see you drinking a beer you're that much more likely to be stopped (happened to someone I know).

Not sure if implied consent is applicable on the water

In my experience, they won't give you trouble as long as you're not an asshat. At some big parties they try to stop everyone, most weekends they keep an eye on the party spots and stop the stupid people. There are usually enough stupid people to keep people that know what they're doing out of trouble.

If you are in Canadian waters in Ontario, you cannot drink (maybe even no alcohol allowed on board) unless you are stopped for the night, and have a head and sleeping quarters.

If i'm going to go out and party, I just stay the night. A drinking ticket is about the last thing I need.

Sounds like everyone has about the same philosophy as I do. I can guarantee that I have never been legally drunk driving my boat. I just wanted to get a feel for how you guys deal with it. Also, I don't have a fast boat, I have a pleasure boat that I fill with friends and family, drive out to the sandbars, anchor and have a good time. It would be a different story if I was out there to fly around. In my many years of boating, I have never been pulled over for anything (knock on wood) I just wanted to see what you guys thought about the subject. Thanks for the replies. :cool:

P.S. I have a 23' Yamaha Jet boat with twins. I know I don't belong here ( someday I will), but other forums I have read really suck and you guys seem real knowledgable and most importantly you don't knock eachother...too much:evilb:

In chicago, we usually drink on my boat. I dont bring a ton of people on board, maybe 4 tops, and we stay low key. We usually anchor and sip some beers in the sun. I think the water cops are more prone to stopping a boat loaded with people, especially if its a sausage fest boat. I dont let people sit anywhere but the seats while underway. Point is, here, if you done act like a asshat, they usually let you enjoy the day.

I have a couple friends who are chicago marine police, they are pretty good guys, who dont want to put the screws to decent people. But if they see a group of people on a boat being rowdy, speeding in crowded areas, drinking out of plastic cups, hanging off the back of the boat while underway, they will stop them.

Ed, was that in your younger and wilder days? :D

Dock,
Yes it happened back around 1990 in my C.C.. Tried to outrun the county sheriff boat. Went flying through the no wake zone by Deckers, don't know what I was thinking at the time. They were tied up at Deckers and waved at me to pull in. Once out into the lake I thought I could run to the Clinton river or Metro and loose him since he had to get started and chase me.
Forgot about radio communication........... They came from two directions and I finally gave up around Belvedere bay.
Lesson learned.
ed

And remember, if the police or USCG want to board to do a inspection, always ask them to remove their shoes.


It pisses them off really bad, and as long as you know your not in violation, its funny as hell.

i dont drink before or during operating my boat . . . period. and have no problem if my passangers do. i know i may take some heat for this but i think they should enforce the BUI laws more srtictly and should have zero tolerance for people that do operate while impared. i dont say this because i feel every person that has just one or two drinks should be delt with, i say it for the amount of other azzholes that go way beyond that. cant tell you how many times i see these idiots out there that think its no big deal and drinking all frik'n day is a part of boating. I was boarded one night at about one thirty in the morning while returning from a riverfront party my crew was pretty trashed. they did a full vessel check and about half way through the process i could sense the situation got much less tense when they realized i had not been drinking lke the rest. i asked if most of their stops were like this and the officer said " no usually everybody is drunk" they thanked me for being responsible and keeping my boat in perfect order i thanked them for being out there keeping the water safe. we went on our way. honestly i have no problem with the frequincy of boardings during downtown events or any other time for that matter, gives 'em more of a chance to nail the people that push it to far.

now while i do not drink an drive my boat i will, however, catch up quickly when we get wherever it is that we were going . . . thats why i have a boat with a cabin. besides its kinda entertaining to be totally sober around a bunch of drunks, really gives you an interesting view of people . :drink:

just my .02 cents:cool:

interesting you chose interceptor for a screen name. . . . shouldnt it be intercepted?:D :D

Dave,
Actually the name should have been DumbA** that day.
ed

we all have our moments :D

Big zero for the alcohol and anything that involves a motor for me, seen to many things turn bad quickly.

P.S. I have a 23' Yamaha Jet boat with twins. I know I don't belong here ( someday I will), but other forums I have read really suck and you guys seem real knowledgeable and most importantly you don't knock each other...too much:evilb:[/QUOTE]

There are a bunch of great people here. Welcome to the site and don't worry about not belonging; to me it is a common interest that you share with the other members. Plus you can learn a ton of stuff.

Jim

I'm in agreement with the don't be an azz, and save the real partying for your final destination - or if the partying breaks out, make that your final destination and be prepared to spend a night in the cabin.

P.S. Don't apologize for the boat you're running. I'd be willing to bet at least 30% here are currently either boatless (me included), they own a Cruiser, or their boat hasn't seen water in at least a year.