Several news agencies in the U.S. found that drivers who refused a breathalyzer test were more likely to avoid convictions than those who consented to breath tests.

STATE PARKS DO NOT ALLOW ALCOHOL WETHER IT IS IN YOUR BOAT OR NOT.

Boats are a popular form of entertainment in North Carolina. DON'T let it get you into trouble! You cannot lose your driver's license for a Boat DUI or BUI conviction.

What boating laws are there in North Carolina?

Different lakes can have different laws. For example, Falls Lake allows ZERO alcohol on the premises, because it is a state park.

On all North Carolina waters, it is unlawful:

  • Drive recklessly, including weaving or speeding in congested area
  • Operate in a manner contrary to navigation rules
  • Operate in an area marked as restricted
  • Jump the wake of a vessel unnecessarily close to the vessel that created the wake or when visibility around that vessel is restricted
  • Play chicken.
  • To allow any person to ride on mounted seats backs or place where you could fall overboard.
  • It is unlawful to operate a PWC (Personal Water Craft) between sunset and sunrise.
  • When operating a PWC equipped with an engine cut-off lanyard, it must be attached to the person operating.
  • A PWC operator must not follow too closely to another vessel or PWC. "Following too closely," is defined by law as proceeding in the same direction of another vessel and operating at a speed in excess of 10 mph when approaching within 100 feet to the rear or 50 to the side of another vessel that is underway, unless that vessel is operating in a narrow channel, in which case a PWC may operate at the speed an flow of other vessel traffic. A narrow channel is defined as a segment of the waters that is 300 feet or less in width.



Can they search my boat?

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), U.S. Coast Guard, and other authorized law enforcement officers and agencies, have the duty to provide for safety on the water and have the authority to stop and/or inspect boats and vessels to enforce both North Carolina and federal boating laws. Officers of the NCWRC do not need a warrant, and have the authority to stop and inspect vessels!

Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken or stop as directed by a law enforcement official. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you must reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.


Operating A Boat Under the Influence Is a Crime.

State Operating Under the Influence (OUI) laws are becoming stricter. As on the roadways, on-water police officers may administer sobriety tests and conduct a chemical test such as a breathalyzer to determine level of sobriety. No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of an impairing substance, nor operate any motor vessel after consuming alcohol sufficient to cause a blood alcohol level concentration of 0.08% or greater.


More Boating Law Information

Counties, cities and districts within a state will have different and sometimes stricter laws. Boating laws can change and it is your responsibility to learn the law as it applies to you and your on-water activities. This website is here to help educate you about some boat laws. To be absolutely certain about specific boating laws in your state it is wise to contact your state boating agency.

 

Sources: North Carolina Boating Law Basics

We are CELEBRATING two years of preventing DUI'S. Texas is the only state that has more state maintained road surfaces than North Carolina. A BOATING DUI OR DWI IS SERIOUS. IT'S ALSO CALLED A BUI.