What do you think of when you think of boating? If you are like most people, you think of operating a boat and having a great time. You think of enjoying a warm afternoon or weekend evening with your friends and loved ones. You may think of the beauty of the ocean the beach.

What you may not be thinking about is how decisions you make while boating could affect the rest of your life. For example, it is illegal to operate a boat after having been drinking. As is true of driving, if you have a blood alcohol content of more than .08% and are operating a boat – or are even on jet skis – you can be arrested for boating under the influence.

Boating under the influence may be more dangerous than you think

These laws were not created without reason. A report from the State of California Department of Boating and Waterways showed that in 2016 there were 50 deaths related to boating accidents, and a total of 588 boating accidents. This is actually the highest number of boating accidents since 2009. The report also showed that alcohol was at least a contributing factor in many of those deadly accidents.

Boat accidents can occur for many different reasons. Some of the common factors that can contribute to them include sun, high waves, heat, wind, and glare. A driver who is under the influence – or even one who is experiencing dehydration – can have an even greater chance of having an accident. As is true when driving, their reaction times are reduced, their balance is off, and coordination may not be at its best.

What to do if you are caught boating under the influence

If you have been arrested for boating under the influence in California then the first thing you should do is to call an attorney. What you may not realize is that, as is true if you are arrested for any DUI offense, you can lose your driver’s licenses. You can also end up facing jail time and you can count on being fined. In many cases you will also be forced to attend an alcohol treatment program.

BUI charges show up on your California driving record

If you are convicted of a BUI, it is going to appear the same way a DUI would on your driving record. The arrest will be taken just as seriously as a DUI arrest would be. In addition to losing your driver’s license, you can expect your auto insurance rates to go up, to spend as much as a year in jail, and to pay fines of as much as $1,000 – and that’s if it’s your first offense. If you already have a DUI or BUI conviction, then these consequences can be even worse.

In fact, if you hurt someone while you are boating under the influence, you can face a felony charge with fines of as much as $5,000 and up to a year in jail. A fatal injury can result in a decade behind bars.