The Vermont Statutes Online
The Vermont Statutes Online does not include the actions of the 2024 session of the General Assembly. We expect them to be updated by November 1st.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Title 23 : Motor Vehicles
Chapter 029 : Snowmobiles, Vessels, and Water Sports
Subchapter 002 : Vessels
(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 3323)-
§ 3323. Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
(a) A person shall not operate, attempt to operate, or be in actual physical control of a vessel on the waters of this State while:
(1) there is 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in his or her blood, as shown by analysis of his or her breath or blood; or
(2) under the influence of alcohol; or
(3) under the influence of any other drug or under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of operating safely.
(b) As used in this section, “alcohol” includes “alcohol,” “malt beverages,” “spirits,” “fortified wines,” and “vinous beverages” as defined in 7 V.S.A. § 2, and any beverage or liquid containing any of them.
(c) A person who is a habitual user of or under the influence of any narcotic drug or who is under the influence of any other drug, substance, or inhalant other than alcohol to a degree which renders the person incapable of safely operating a vessel may not operate, attempt to operate, or be in actual physical control of a vessel. The fact that a person charged with a violation of this section is or has been entitled to use such drug under the laws of this State shall not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section, “drug” means a regulated drug as defined in 18 V.S.A. § 4201.
(e) A person may not be convicted of more than one violation of subsection (a) of this section arising out of the same incident. (Added 1989, No. 65, § 14; amended 1997, No. 57, § 3; 2007, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2017, No. 83, § 155; 2023, No. 6, § 258, eff. July 1, 2023.)
