Every summer people gather with friends and family at lakes around the state to enjoy the warm weather and cool water.  Favorite lake activities often include water skiing, tubing, fishing and other boating activities.  In order to reduce the risk of injuries, Iowa has passed laws concerning alcohol and boating.  A person can be charged with boating while intoxicated if their blood alcohol content is .10% or greater.  Any person who operates a motorboat or sailboat on navigable waters gives consent to a blood, breath, urine or chemical test to determine if the person is intoxicated, if reasonable grounds exist to believe the person is intoxicated or under the influence.  Refusal to submit to a test will result in a fine of at least $500 and a suspension of boating privileges for at least one year.

<>
A boating while intoxicated first offense carries a minimum 48 hours in jail, a $1,000.00 fine, a suspension of boating privileges of one year and attendance at a course for drinking drivers.  A second offense requires 7 days in jail, a fine between $1,500 and $5,000, a suspension of privileges for two years and the drinking drivers’ course.  Third offense boating while intoxicated is a Class “D” Felony and may result in 5 years in prison in addition to enhanced fines and a six year boating privileges suspension.  Boating while intoxicated offenses apply only to the operator of the boat and Iowa law allows passengers of legal age to consume alcohol.  A boating while intoxicated conviction does not affect a person’s drivers’ license.