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 Ohio, operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, similar to driving a vehicle while impaired. The state's laws on Boating Under the Influence (BUI) are outlined in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1547.11, which prohibits operating any vessel, water skis, aquaplane, or similar device while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for boaters is the same as for drivers, which is 0.08%. Penalties for BUI in Ohio can include fines, jail time, boating privileges suspension, and mandatory boating safety courses. Enforcement is carried out by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft, and other law enforcement agencies. These laws are in place to ensure the safety of all individuals on public waterways.