When you're on the water, alcohol can affect your coordination, judgment, vision, reaction time and balance more than when you're on land. Waves, motion, vibration, engine noise, weather, wind and spray can all multiply the effects of alcohol.
Stay under the 0.05 limit. Alcohol affects your judgment. Out on the water, the safety of your passengers is in your hands.
You must not drive a vessel when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over the legal limit or if you’re under the influence of illegal drugs.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or any drug puts everyone on the water at risk.
It's recommended that passengers also stay under the legal limit. Studies show that passengers are just as likely as drivers to be involved in incidents – such as falling overboard – as a result of drinking alcohol. Passengers may also need to respond quickly in a collision, or if the vessel capsizes or is swamped.
If you end up in the water, you're more likely to drown if you've been drinking alcohol.