Not a DUI in any sense, but still a common charge in Washington over the summer months is that of Boating Under the Influence (BUI). While there are currently no licensing ramifications nor mandatory jail, it is still a criminal misdemeanor and an alcohol offense. As such, jail and/or alcohol treatment are potential outcomes in case of a conviction.
The elements of BUI in Washington are similar to that of DUI. It is a per se violation of the statute if you are operating a vessel and have a BAC of .08 or above. If a breath or blood test is not available to the state, it can attempt to prove a violation of the statute by showing you were appreciably affected by alcohol or drugs (or combination of the two) at the time you were operating the vessel. Additionally, the BUI statute is also implicated if one is accused of operating the vessel recklessly, whether or not alcohol or drugs are involved.
If you have been charged with this offense or believe that you may be, contact one of our Washington BUI lawyers for more information.