“Tennessee is one of the nation’s leading states offering recreational waterways,” according to state government officials. Many people either work aboard a vessel (such as a barge) or enjoy recreational boating in Tennessee ports and waterways each year. Unfortunately, some engage in a very dangerous activity known as “boating under the influence” or BUI, which can cause serious bodily injuries to those impacted by it. It bears mentioning that all 50 U.S. states have laws regarding alcohol consumption and operating a boat. Below is some important information that our Tennessee barge accident lawyer wants you to consider regarding boating (or, in some cases, barging) under the influence. What Do Most State Laws Say About Boating Under the Influence (BUI)? In several states, the laws that regulate drinking and operating a boat or vessel are similar to those associated with drinking and driving a motor vehicle. It is illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or greater in most states. The same limit is usually true for operating any other vessel. This is partly because, in 1998, President Clinton advocated for the establishment of a federal standard to define what is considered legal intoxication, recommending .08% BAC level as the standard. Following President Clinton’s initiative, several federal bills were passed, some of which would cut funding for states that did not adopt this measure. Accordingly, all states have formally adopted .08% BAC as the standard to identify legal intoxication. Some states have adopted additional, more […]
The Jones Act is a federal law that governs the liability of vessel operators and marine employers for work-related injuries or the death of an employee.
