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Kentucky’s Laws for Boating and Alcohol

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Boating and Alcohol Laws in Kentucky

Boating and alcohol laws: It is against the law to operate a boat or vessel including a personal watercraft (PWC), manipulate waterskis, surfboard or other similar device while intoxicated or under the influence of any other substance that impairs one’s driving ability.

Accoring to Kentucky’s boating and alcohol laws, a person is considered to be under the influence if they:

Have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher.

In Kentucky, a person convicted of operating a boat under the influence will be subject to the following penalties:

Upon a first conviction, a person will receive a fine from $200-$250.
Upon a second conviction, a person will receive a fine from $350-$500.
Upon a third or subsequent conviction, a person will receive a fine from $600-$1000 and/or imprisonment for a minimum of 30 days.

Boating and Alcohol: Implied Consent

Any person operating a boat on Kentucky waters is deemed to have given consent to a test or tests to determine if they are impaired by drugs and/or alcohol. A person who refuses to submit to testing is subject to significant fines and/or imprisonment.

Kentucky’s Laws for Public Intoxication

In Kentucky, it is illegal to drink alcoholic beverages in public places (this excludes licensed establishments). The waterways of Kentucky are considered public places. Additionally, in a public place, a person who is under the influence of alcoholic to the extent that they may unreasonably annoy or endanger themselves or others, shall be subject to arrest.

Kentucky’s Law Enforcement Authority

Boating laws in Kentucky are enforced by:

Officers of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
All other peace officers.
The Coast Guard on federal waters.

Kentucky’s law enforcement officers have the authority to stop and board a boat to ensure the boat is complying with state and federal laws.

Operators are legally required to abide by any direction given by law enforcement, including bringing the boat to a stop, if signaled to do so.