Missouri State Highway Patrol — Public Information and Education Division
Alcohol and Boating in Missouri
Missouri's lakes and rivers offer a wide range of possibilities. But nothing spoils an outing more than getting arrested for operating a boat while intoxicated or being involved in a boating crash.
Alcohol is a contributing circumstance in approximately 27 percent of all fatal boating crashes and approximately 30 percent of all boating crashes in Missouri. Missouri law prohibits operating a vessel while intoxicated due to alcohol or any combination of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs. Intoxicated is defined as having a BAC of .08 percent or higher.
How Alcohol Affects Boating
• Reaction Time: Impairment occurs at low BAC levels.
• Judgment: Judgment is the first thing affected by alcohol.
• Vision: Loss of ability to perceive details and control eye movement.
• Comprehension: Perceiving hazards and processing information is impaired.
• Coordination: Motor skills are lessened.
• Boat Operation: Steering and speed control are impaired.
• Emergency Response: Ability to respond to emergencies is limited.
Alcohol affects you more on the water than on land due to boating stressors: water movement, vibration, noise, sun, and wind.
Zero Tolerance for Underage Drinkers
Any person under the age of 21 who purchases, attempts to purchase, possesses any intoxicating liquor, is visibly intoxicated, or has a detectable blood alcohol content over .02% is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Missouri Boating Laws
Boating While Intoxicated (Section 577.013 RSMo):
• BWI is a class B misdemeanor.
• BWI is a class A misdemeanor if the defendant is a prior boating offender or a person less than 17 is present.
• BWI is a class E felony if persistent boating offender or criminal negligence causes physical injury.
• BWI is a class D felony if aggravated boating offender or causes serious physical injury.
• BWI is a class C felony if chronic boating offender or causes death.
• BWI is a class B felony if habitual boating offender or causes death of law enforcement.
• BWI is a class A felony for certain repeat habitual offender situations.
Offender Definitions (Section 577.001 RSMo)
Aggravated Offender: A person found guilty of three or more intoxication-related boating offenses, or two or more where at least one involved injury or death.
Chronic Offender: A person found guilty of four or more intoxication-related boating offenses, or three or more where at least one involved injury or death.
Habitual Boating Offender: A person found guilty of five or more intoxication-related boating offenses, or four or more where at least one involved injury or death.
Remember
Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol encourage you to enjoy Missouri's lakes and rivers. If your plans include alcohol, choose a sober boat operator before you choose to drink. The best defense against an intoxicated boater is a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket and paying attention when boating.
Please, don't operate any vessel if you've consumed alcohol.
Contact
Public Information and Education Division
Missouri State Highway Patrol
1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3313
Website: www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov
Email: mshppied@mshp.dps.mo.gov
Emergency Assistance: 1-800-525-5555 or cellular *55
Road Conditions: 1-888-275-6636