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Ohio Boating Under the Influence (BUI) (2026)

Conditional: Ohio prohibits operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more; under 21 the limit is 0.02 (Ohio DNR, ORC 1547).

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: ohiodnr.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in states bordering Ohio

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IndianaConditional
Indiana prosecutes boating under the influence under its operating-while-intoxicated statutes (0.08% BAC); state law includes a watercraft within the definition of vehicle for OWI.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legislativeupdate.courts.in.gov · Full Indiana rule →
KentuckyConditional
Kentucky considers a boat operator intoxicated if the concentration of alcohol in the blood is 0.08% or more (Dept. of Fish & Wildlife).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MichiganConditional
Michigan prohibits operating a motorboat with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood (MCL 324.80176).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legislature.mi.gov · Full Michigan rule →
PennsylvaniaConditional
Pennsylvania makes it unlawful to operate a watercraft with a blood or breath alcohol concentration of at least 0.08% (30 Pa.C.S. 5502).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.state.pa.us · Full Pennsylvania rule →
West VirginiaConditional
West Virginia prohibits operating a motorized vessel under the influence or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more by weight.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: wvdnr.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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