ALASKA BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS

It is illegal in the state of Alaska to operate any boat while under the influence of alcohol, an inhalant, controlled substances, or any combination thereof.

In Alaska, a person is considered to be under the influence/intoxicated if:

• They have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or more, within 4 hours of the time of the boat operation.

FINES AND PENALTIES

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

• On their first conviction, they will be subject to a minimum $1,500 fine and a minimum of 72 hours imprisonment.
• On their second conviction, they will be subject to a minimum $3,000 fine and a minimum of 20 days imprisonment.
• On their third conviction, they will be subject to a minimum fine of $4,000 and a minimum of 60 days imprisonment.

Additionally, any person convicted of boating while intoxicated will also lose their driver’s license for a minimum of 30 days and have their boat forfeited.

ALASKA BOAT REGISTRATION

In order to legally operate a motorized boat in the state of Alaska, you must obtain a Certificate of Number and validation decals. The state of Alaska does not title boats.

A Certificate of Number can be obtained through the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by submitting the required documentation and fees. Upon registration, boat owners will receive their Certificate of Number and decals. The Certificate of Number must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer during operation.

The Certificate of Number is valid for three years and expires on the last day of the month, at the end of the three year period.

A Certificate of Number issued by the Coast Guard (prior to 2001) will still be valid until the expiration date, unless the boat changes ownership.  When the Coast Guard-issued registration expires, the boat owner must renew the registration with the Alaska DMV.

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN ALASKA

• Federally documented boats
• Boats owned by the United States government
• Motorized boats that are registered in another state or country and are temporarily using Alaska’s waters, for a period of less than 90 consecutive days
• A ships lifeboat (so long as they are only used for lifesaving purposes)
• Human-powered craft (i.e. kayaks, rafts and canoes)

OTHER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

If a boat is destroyed, sold, or abandoned, the owner of the boat must notify the Alaska DMV within 15 days. If the owner of a numbered boat changes their address, they must provide the DMV with their new address within 15 days, and pay a fee to receive a new Certificate of Number with their updated address.

If the Certificate of Number or validation decals are lost or destroyed, you must apply to the Alaska DMV and pay a fee in order to obtain a replacement.

Boats in Alaska are required to correctly display their registration number and validations stickers. 

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• Numbers must be applied as a decal, painted or permanently affixed to the forward half of each side of the boat (boat owners are not permitted to display any other numbers in this area).
• The registration number must be in bold block letters that are at least 3 inches high and in a color that contrasts with the color of the boat.
• The numbers in the registration number must be separated from the letters by a hyphen or by an equivalent space.
• The number must be read from left to right.
• Validation decals must be placed within 6 inches of the registration number on both sides of the boat.
• These requirements are also applicable to personal watercraft (PWCs).

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN ALASKA?

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

RECKLESS OR NEGLIGENT BOAT OPERATION

A person may not operate a boat on Alaska’s waterways for recreational purpose or another purpose, or tow waterskis, a surfboard or a similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger to life or property of another person. Additionally, in Alaska, it’s illegal to operate a boat that is not equipped with the required safety equipment.

Keep in mind that if you own a boat and lend it to someone else, you will be held responsible for any damages or injuries that occur while the other person (the boat borrower) is operating your boat. Additionally, if the person operating your boat is an immediate family member, it will be assumed that you have given them your consent to operate your boat. 

PROTECTING ALASKA’S MARINE MAMMALS

• Boaters should stay at least 300 feet away from marine mammals or more if animals display a change of behavior.
• Time spent viewing marine mammals should be kept to a maximum of 30 minutes.
• Never try to pursue marine mammals, restrict their path or encircle them.
• Always leave marine mammals with a clear escape route.
• If a marine mammal approaches, put the engine in neutral and let the animal pass.
• If a marine mammal displays erratic behavior or appears disturbed, cautiously leave the area.
• Never handle or feed young marine mammals.

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. 
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.