I've been told both, that with a BUI gets you a suspended drivers lic. just like a DUI. I've also heard they just impound the boat and you get some nasty fines but does not carry to your auto drivers lic. Which is true?

Depends where you are, not sure of the laws where you are, or even in FL for that matter, but when I lived in CT, it was all run by DEP, not the Motor vehicle department, so they could not pull your license, just fine you, and revoke your Safe Boating Cert. for 24 hours.

calif i think its same car or boat u are going to get hosed.

I believe SC is a fine first offense, 2nd offense is a fine and suspended boating privilages for 6-months, 3rd time suspended boating privilages indefinitely. That is what it used to be...may have changed though. i know they don't take our car license...thats harsh.

In Texas it is the same as a DUI unless your boat has less than 50-HP

Roby

What if you put a 40HP kicker on the platform to troll home with after a few drinks

What I have been told-

Ohio .04 on water is DUI and goes on license.

Wreckless Ops do not transfer to drivers license. Thank God.

Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs Prohibited/Testing
(ORC 1547.11 & ORC 1547.111)
No person shall operate or be in physical control of any vessel underway, or manipulate any water skis or similar device if the person is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. A person is in violation with a concentration of 0.1 or more Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2003, a person is in violation with a concentration of 0.08 or more Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).

NOTE: Legal limit for persons under 21 years of age is 0.02 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).

Any person who operates a vessel, water skis or similar device shall be deemed to have given consent to a chemical test or tests of their blood, breath, or urine to determine alcohol or drug content if arrested. If a person under arrest refuses to submit to a chemical test the person is prohibited from operating a vessel or water skis or from registering a vessel for a one-year period. If the person is the owner of the vessel the registration certificate and tags will be impounded for a one-year period.

Penalty for Operating Under the
Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Offense Minimum Maximum
First 3 days jail
$150 fine 6 days jail
$1,000 fine
Second 10 days jail
$150 fine 6 months jail
$1,000 fine
Third 30 days jail
$150 fine 6 months jail
$1,000 fine

Well you might still need a lawyer to explain that one to them in trial. However believe it or not if your boat has less than 50-HP you can get totally smashed and operate the boat legally.

Roby

In Florida, if you have holes in your socks they take your driver's license. It's friggin unbelievable. Everything from deadbeat dads/moms, dui's, bounced checks, and the list goes on.

Our state legislature deemed the best way to punish anyone for anything is to yank their driver's license, driving is NOT a requirement.