If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds the legal limit, what is it illegal to do?

When your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds the legal limit, it is illegal to operate a vessel. This aligns with safety regulations designed to protect not only the driver but also passengers and other boaters. Operating a vessel requires full attention and the ability to make quick decisions, much like driving a car. Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents on the water. Therefore, the law clearly prohibits operating a vessel under these conditions to mitigate risks and enhance safety for everyone on the water.

While anchoring, docking, or swimming near a vessel may still involve some level of caution, these actions do not carry the same legal repercussions as operating the vessel itself when impaired by alcohol.