All states have laws against boating under the influence (BUI), which make it a crime to operate a boat or watercraft on a public waterway while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In Maine, operating a boat or any watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, similar to driving a vehicle while impaired. Maine's BUI (Boating Under the Influence) laws prohibit operating a watercraft with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, which is the same legal limit for operating a motor vehicle on the state's roads. The law applies to all public waterways. Penalties for BUI in Maine can include fines, jail time, and suspension of boating privileges. Additionally, Maine law requires an implied consent for chemical testing, meaning that by operating a watercraft, individuals are deemed to have given consent to chemical tests to determine their BAC if they are suspected of BUI. Refusal to submit to testing can result in additional penalties.