Pushing out into the frigid, turbulent depths of Lake Michigan in the dead of winter may not sound like much fun. But eventually the flowers and warmth of spring will summon Chicago boaters back onto the water.
Since recreational boating is, well, recreational, it may be more tempting to booze it up while out on the lake. But drunk boating is not much different than drunk driving.
Just remember that operating a boat requires the same level of alertness and responsibility as driving a car, while presenting additional hazards, so stay dry while you're on the lake and leave the liquor on shore.
Boating under the influence (BUI) is a serious offense. Just as with a DUI, Illinois boaters with more than a 0.08 blood alcohol content are subject to arrest. Unlike a DUI, however, there is no zero tolerance (0.00 BAC) threshold for minors under the influence.
Similar to a standard DUI stop on terra firma, boaters suspected of a BUI are "pulled over" by local or state police boats, or even by the US Coast Guard. They won't ask you to walk backwards on water but a BUI suspect is expected to go through a similar sobriety test as well as an on-site breathalyzer screening.
During particularly busy boating seasons, such as Memorial Day or Independence Day, law enforcement may even set up BUI checkpoints on the water.
Chicagoans convicted of a BUI should first of all contact an Illinois DUI attorney, since the offense is nearly identical to a DUI. The only difference is that a BUI conviction not only could result in the suspension of one's boating license but also could affect one's automobile driver's license as well.
The bottom line is that operating a motor vehicle, whether on land or on water, requires a clear head and the ability to quickly respond to changing conditions.
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Boating Under the Influence (FindLaw)
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Boating Safety Resource Center (US Coast Guard)
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Find a Chicago DUI lawyer (FindLaw)
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