wjb21ndtown sorry i was talking about US rules i havent been on a boat in Canada since i was about 12 years old i think and that would have been 35 years ago at least

Flareguns aren't required by US Coast Guard or marine patrol only 4 hand held flares that are not expired. These are required in any waters though if your stopped for a inspection.

Ohhh... My fault... Yup... In the U.S. if you're not "operating the vessel" you're free to booze it up!!!


F.Y.I. if you're fishing or something, and boozing in the middle of the lake, chuck some sort of anchor over board (even if it is a smaller mushroom anchor). You are legally "operating" your vessel even if you're not at the helm whenever it is not anchored or tied up to someone that is anchored. That said, you do not need to do anything silly like take the keys out of the ignition (unless its your preventative means of making sure you don't drive... if you can't get it back in the hole you're too drunk!).


:ernaehrung004:

Most boat to the runs. Laws are Captain has to remain within the legal limit as well as not have a open beverage while operating the boat. Passengers it's a free for all as long as they aren't on the sunpad while vessel is underway. We've never been hassled for beverages only speed:evilb:

That's actually not true... The legal limit on the lake is actually 0.10 BAC, not 0.08. The 0.08 standard was put in place by the State of Michigan, but it was put in place at the behest of Congress, who thought that there is a compelling need to regualte alcohol consumption on highways, and if we want those beautiful federally funded highway dollars, we better follow their rules! (which is kind of funny to me... we pay the federal govt. our money, and they tell us how we can spend it!)

Another difference between an OWI and an "OWI per se" (marine offense) is that the OWI per se does NOT effect your car driving record or your car driving privileges. It MAY effect your boating driving privileges, but it will not, in any way, affect your ability to drive a car (unless you end up in jail!).

One more point of clarification... If you are anchored and HAMMERED, drunk beyond belief, 5 cases of beer and just you on your boat, as long as you are anchored in a safe manner they should not be able to give you any sort of OWI.


Didn't mean to step on your toes Smurf, I just wanted to clear a couple of things up!

:ernaehrung004:

Then those rules must of changed from 2008 to 2009. I am holding the 2008 Michigan boating laws handbook in my hand, and it clearly says 0.08% BAC for legal limit. But according the the 2010 handbook, you are correct! The law must of changed.

Although being hammered beyond belief, yes you will absolutely get hassled, if not ticked if you are the owner/driver. More or less like sitting in your car drunk with the keys, its a DUI ticket. Now you probably wont get that kind of ticket, but you absolutely can be hassled for EVERYONE ON THE BOAT being DRUNK BEYOND BELIEF, that is just plain stupid for anyone to do that, you never know whats going to arise in the middle of the lake, and you need to go somewhere and there is no one to drive the boat safely or legally. There has to be a sober driver under the legal limit at all times!

All depends on the sheriff or CG that pulls you over!

BTW, I know I am just as bad as everyone else discussing the legalities of boating in different waters and laws.

But can we get back on topic? This thread has being hijacked big time, and this discussion has nothing to do with the Lake St. Clair run anymore.

Thanks!

I just titled/registered my new "used" Velocity in Michigan. When I did they gave me a handbook of Michigan Boating Laws. In there reads as follows:

The following conditions determineif you are boating under the influence:
-If your blood alcohol content is 0.10% or greater by weight of alcohol as determined by a breath, blood, or urine test, you are considered to be under the influence of alcohol.
-If your blood alcohol content is greater than 0.07% but less than 0.10% by weight of alcohol as determined by breath, blood, or urine test, a law enforcement officer can consider that fact along with other evidence in determining if you are under the influence.
So, techinacly the legal limit is 0.10% on the water. However they can still bring you in if your close.......

I have always carried a flare gun on my Baja, and I boat on the Detroit River almost every weekend during the summer. I ocassionaly travel in Canadian waters. I was unaware of the this law:eek:.

Thank Irish! This year I will leave the gun at home, and get some hand helds...

I can confirm this to be fact:mad:

I got nailed about 12 years ago out by Grosse Ile. I was given a breath test and blew a 0.094. However, because I was young and stupid my actions gave them reason to bring me in. (no I was not being a dick, just acting nervous). They gave me another test at the station and it registered 0.194, BUSTED.

Long story short, put on probation, attended alcohol awarness classes, community service, and judge suspended my boating privledges from November - April.:drink: My drivers license was not affected, nor did my insurance company ever find out.