33 CFR § 95.020Chapter I

§ 95.020 Standard for under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug.

Primary source

Verbatim text below is from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the current version with the eCFR before relying on it for any legal matter.

Full Text

An individual is under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug when:

(a) The individual is operating a recreational vessel and has a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of .08 percent or more, by weight, in their blood;

(b) The individual is operating a vessel other than a recreational vessel and has an alcohol concentration of .04 percent by weight or more in their blood; or,

(c) The individual is operating any vessel and the effect of the intoxicant(s) consumed by the individual on the person's manner, disposition, speech, muscular movement, general appearance or behavior is apparent by observation.

[CGD 84-099, 52 FR 47532, Dec. 14, 1987; CGD 84-099, 53 FR 13117, Apr. 21, 1988, as amended by USCG-1998-4593, 66 FR 1862, Jan. 10, 2001]

eCFR data current as of: June 10, 2026

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.