Indiana boating and alcohol laws

No person shall operate any motorized boat on Indiana waters while they are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination thereof. It is unlawful for owners of boats or personal watercraft (PWCs) to operate or allow anyone else to operate their boat or PWC while that person is intoxicated.

In Indiana, a person is considered to be under the influence if:

• They have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher.
• They are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs such that their thoughts and actions are impaired and they have a loss of normal control of faculties to such an extent as to cause danger to others

Note: A BAC level of at least 0.05%, but less than 0.08%, may be used with other evidence in determining whether the person was under the influence of alcohol.

FINES AND PENALTIES

In Indiana, a person convicted of operating a boat while under the influence will be subject to the following penalties (the penalties of a Class C misdemeanor).

First offense (or the first in 10 years):

• They may lose all their driving privileges (motorized boat and motor vehicle) for at least 90 days and up to 2 years.

Second offense (within 5 years):

• They may be fined and jailed, and lose the privilege to operate a vehicle, boat, or PWC for 180 days and up to 2 years.

More severe penalties exist for additional convictions. Additionally, a person boating while under the influence who causes the death or serious injury of another person will, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony.

INDIANA BOAT REGISTRATION

In order to legally operate a boat in Indiana, you must obtain a Certificate of Registration (registration card) and validation decals. The Certificate of Registration must be on board and be available for inspection by a law enforcement officer during boat operation.

Federally documented boats must also be registered by the state and display the excise decal.

If your boat requires registration, it is illegal to operate or to allow others to operate it until it is registered and properly numbered.

The Certificate of Registration and validation decals are valid for 1 year and may be obtained by submitting an application and fee to any Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) License Branch.

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN INDIANA

• Boats acquired by the owner before January 1, 1986.
• Boats that are less than $3,000 in value when new.
• Home-made boats built for personal use and not for resale.

BOAT TITLING REQUIREMENTS

All boats that must be registered must also have a certificate of title.

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN INDIANA?

Boats in California are not required to be insured, however it is recommended. 

Boats in Indiana are required to correctly display their registration number and validation stickers.

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• The numbers must be applied as a decal, painted or permanently affixed to each side of the boat’s bow (boat owners are not permitted to display any other numbers in this area).
• The numbers must be in bold block letters, be at least 3 inches high and in a color that contrasts with the color of the boat.
• The numbers must be separated from the letters by a 2-inch space.
• The numbers must be a single color and be clearly legible from a distance of 100 feet.
• The number must be read from left to right.
• Excise tax decals must be affixed on both sides of the boat, be displayed within 3 inches from, and in line with the registration number (only the current decal can be displayed).
• These requirements also apply to personal watercraft (PWCs).

NEGLIGENT OR RECKLESS BOAT OPERATION

It is illegal in the state of Indiana to operate any boat or to manipulate any water-skis, aquaplane or similar device in a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. 

Examples of reckless operation include:

• Operating in a restricted area such as a designated swimming area.
• Weaving through congested traffic at more than idle speed.
• Jumping the wake of another boat when unreasonably close to the other boat.
• Waiting until the last possible moment to swerve to avoid a collision.
• Creating a hazardous wake.
• Harassing or disturbing wildlife.
• Allowing passengers to ride on the boat’s stern, bow, gunwales or transom (if the boat is less than 21 feet in length).
• Overloading a boat beyond the safe carrying capacity.
• Overpowering the boat beyond the recommended horsepower capacity.
• Towing a water-skier in a restricted area or where an obstruction exists.
• Interfering with the safe and lawful use of public waters by another person.
• Circular operation around fishers or swimmers

Illegal Boat Operation

Indiana law also state that the following are illegal:

• Operating a boat at speeds of more than 10 mph between sunset to sunrise.
• Boating in restricted zones (safety zones and ecological zones) without regard for other boaters or persons, posted speeds, and wake restrictions.
• Operating within 150 feet of a Divers-Down flag unless assisting the diver.
• Operating in a circular course around another boat engaged in fishing or a person swimming.

Non-native Aquatic Species

American waterways have been under threat from foreign aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are transferred from boats and boating equipment that originate from external waterways. Once introduced to a new waterway, the ANS will detach from the contaminated boat and spread like wildfire. ANS include: Milfoil, Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels.

Why are ANS such a serious threat?

• They have no natural predators in U.S. waters.
• Some ANS can actually survive out of water, making transfer easy.
• They reproduce quickly.
• They have harmful effects on the native wildlife, habitats and ecosystems.

For more information on Aquatic Nuisance Species, visit: www.protectyourwaters.net/impacts.php.

Help prevent the spread of non-native species

• Inspect all surfaces of your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before leaving any body of water.
• Ensure you flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea-strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty and dry any buckets before leaving a body of water. 
• Remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props.
• Dispose of plant fragments and bait into a garbage receptacle on land.
• Avoid chopping vegetation with your boat’s propeller.
• Clean and dry all live-wells prior to transporting your boat.
• Drain all water from your motor and bilge and dry all areas. t.
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.