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Random Quote: Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut.
hello everyone i know i asked about this and had this question a ways back but it went in every direction and didnt really come up with a solid answer. i know people get mad when you re ask something but to be honest the topics are getting boring lately. My question is when am i legal to drink on the water? i am 25 years old. as of right now i dont allow beer or alcohol on my boat. but next summer i am gonna start staying over places such as docks and moorings and occasionally on the hook. i will probally be paying and renting a mooring for the nights i stay places. heres the question.
is it legal to drink alcohol while on the hook at night ? my thoughts not for the captain in case of emergency or anchor comes loose. right or wrong
is it legal to drink while moored? my thoughts are up in the air on this one
drinking while docked at a marina? i am gonna say yes
please i just want your opinions . i am mature and do not ever wanna ruin my chances on the watre this is my second boat and i wanna keep being able to move up so a dui isnt in my picture. thanks everyone
I never drink more than one or two while anchored fishing. That is over a few hours. If I am anchored at the beach and in a secure spot I will have more.
Your best bet is to call the harbor Master and find out what Connecticut law is. Who knows maybe they have an open container law.
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22 Shamrock Warrior WA
Gloucester
every beer or shot contains .02 of alchohol......if you have 3 beers in one hour you are at .06..............the legal limit in most states is .08............remember if you stretch the 3 beers out over a few hours the reading would be less. Your body metabolizes 0.01 of alchohol every hour..........so conceivably , if you had 6 beers in six hours that would be .12...which is over the limit...however deduct .01 for each of the six hours and you are back down to .06 and under the limit.............this is science and based on a 165 lb man. In other words never put yourself in the position of being over the legal limit while operating the boat.........as for being docked you have to check with the local authorities where you reside. Also remember some people just can't drink and get nuts after 3 beers....don't let them on your boat.
I'm pretty sure CT follows DMV regs for BUI. That is, no visible open containers while underway, the operator must be under 0.8, and you better be polite to the occifer.
But since it could be DEP or the C.G. that does the enforcement, they can terminate your voyage for any reason they choose. The don't need permission to board, or search your vessel, and they can make arrests.
That is in the offshore district - the inland district (lakes and rivers) is pretty much zero tolerance I believe.
You can get specific information off of DEP's website. I don't drink under way, but I do occasionally have beer for guests or for when we are tied up at the slip. It's never been an issue with any safety checks (though they always ask how much alcohol is on board).
I keep my boat in ct fwiw.
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Terry Jason 35, Yanmar 370 hp, Lots of fun at a leisurely pace
The key word in the law is "underway", in Ct. if your moored, docked, anchored or aground, your not underway. If your the operator while underway your BAC cannot exceed .08. I personaly limit the amount of alcohol on board my boat and rarely have more than one or two even when i'm anchored. To me like driving drunk in your car, you never know when your going to be stopped, its just not worth the mess you'll be in.
They enforce the .08 limit. Open containers not an issue according to them. It is really your choice (except do not go over .08). I know of no marine police officer in my area that is looking for a problem, it is only when you become a problem that you will have one.
I think the first reponse was accurate: don'e be a dumbass and you'll be OK.
No marina is going to prohibit you from entertaining and having a cocktail on your boat at the slip; just don't disturb everyone else.
Happy imbibing.
Enjoy.
__________________ 1998 HS 245 Vector CC
2007 Evinrude 250 etec rigged and rockin!
Each jurisdiction might be different. You really need to check with YOUR local authorities for the correct answer for your area.
Maybe the next time that you see your local LE boat on the water, flag them down and ask them. They won't mind. They might even have a handout that they could give you that explains the laws. Just make sure that you don't have an open container while doing so. LOL
It used to be that you could fly by the sheriff boat at 40 knots with a beer in your hand and even take a swig from it and smile at him. No more...
No marina is going to prohibit you from entertaining and having a cocktail on your boat at the slip; just don't disturb everyone else.
Happy imbibing.
Enjoy.
One word of caution...
Marina's in general, yes, your statement applies.
But if you are at a waterfront restaurant or bar, they usually have a sign at the gangway that leads to the docks that states "no alcohol beyond this point" or something to that effect. You need to heed that sign.
That sign usually means that they have an "on-sale" liquor license and that you can't take your booze out of a certain area.
Now if you are sitting on your boat and drinking your own booze while tied to their dock, you might not have a problem.
But if you are walking around the dock checking out the bikini's with an open container/glass in your hand, you might end up having a conversation with the local authorities, and/or the drinking establishment might get written up for YOUR actions, which could result in a fine or suspension of their license.
Some of our waterfront watering holes usually post a "bouncer" at the gangway to avoid the above scenario.
Each jurisdiction might be different. You really need to check with YOUR local authorities for the correct answer for your area.
Maybe the next time that you see your local LE boat on the water, flag them down and ask them. They won't mind. They might even have a handout that they could give you that explains the laws. Just make sure that you don't have an open container while doing so. LOL
It used to be that you could fly by the sheriff boat at 40 knots with a beer in your hand and even take a swig from it and smile at him. No more...
Good luck!
I was stopped last summer in Reynolds channel near Jones beach (L.I.)
in a random check......It was the Bay Constable.....he checked my safety equipment
and noticed a Bud Light in my cup holder.....he looked at my wife and said
"That beers yours , right ma'am?" sarcastically. In otherwords he didn't really bother me but made sure he let me know he didn't like the beer sitting there. Its really
a new world...you have to remember most coast guard and Local cops on the water grew up on the water...and their parents in the 50's and sixties had no qualms about having a case of brew on the boat........I believe many of the law enforcement guys and women really have mixed feelings about these new attitudes regarding
boating.....hell if I want to sit home and get drunk I can do that any time...but I really enjoy a couple of beers while I'm fishing...and I see no problem with that as long as I don't go over the limit.
Already stated, but beware that the c.g. and local police and DEP will have different rule books, different tolerances, and different outlooks.
Also realize that you may be forced to become underway if your anchor slips. or you are ordered to move your vessel. In that case, you better be under the limit.
The least common denominator to be safe is no open containers while underway, don't be a jerk, and keep a low profile.
For example, when over in greenport and dining at claudios, don't tear arse out of there or you will be getting a breathalyzer from the local water cops. They seem to be running a retirement fundraiser from boaters who leave with a little too much in their tanks.
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Terry Jason 35, Yanmar 370 hp, Lots of fun at a leisurely pace
Here in good ol' FL you can drink as you are motoring along. You must be under the 0.08 limit. Your guests can be druck as skunks if you allow them to be (hopefully you don't as they can be a dangerous distraction and a danger to themselves).
On the hook here you can drink til you pass out if you are staying overnight. However if you need to lift anchor and move all of a sudden you had better be under the .08.
The night of an overnighter I enjoy whatever I want. I have a rather heavy set up and am normally tied to a tree on shore as well. If I am returning that day I have a single beer with whatever we are eating and that is that. Not really a goodie-two-shoes, but I have to back a big ass boat into a slip with a foot's clearance on either side - normally in a breeze. Plus I jet ski with the kids.
You will have to check your local regs. Here's the link, but it's not the best of sites I'm afraid.
i heard a lot of that over in reynolds from paddys back to point lookout this summer. especially after dark in the long no wake on the western end. also saw a zillion stops (we were one) in jones inlet proper for safety checks by all manner of law enforcement. we were stopped by six young gentlemen of two different agencies on a cg inflatable. we'd had a few, were jigging bluefish solo at dusk, and it was a fairly long stop/check. as all my safety gear is rountinely in good order i got my certificate after a while. but reading between the lines, they werent amused. i cant say im unhappy about the increased level of enforcement of late, especially in that area.
For some reason, I've noticed spelling errors in almost everyone's reply...besides Big Al's
The CG guys are very friendly around here. We were stopped a few months ago for an on board safety check. We were asked about alcohol consumption, we truthfully answered and were sent on our way.
If you "have" to drink on board a vessel, do so in a respectable & safe manner.
__________________ "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift."
For some reason, I've noticed spelling errors in almost everyone's reply...besides Big Al's
The CG guys are very friendly around here. We were stopped a few months ago for an on board safety check. We were asked about alcohol consumption, we truthfully answered and were sent on our way.
If you "have" to drink on board a vessel, do so in a respectable & safe manner.
Say pal, I KNOW how to spell blender.
Big Al
__________________ "Pedophiles must die" - Ted Nugent
DRINKING ON THE WATER 
