Can Passengers Drink on a Boat?

September 10, 2026

By John Gullick

We all know that it’s completely irresponsible for the operator to be drinking but I often get asked if passengers can drink alcoholic beverages or use recreational drugs when we are out traveling in a boat?

Depending on the province, the simple answer is NO. Nobody, driver or passengers, may drink on a recreational vessel when it is underway. Exception: in Quebec, passengers may consume alcohol.

You undoubtedly know that for anyone to drink alcohol the vessel must be at anchor or tied up to the dock and equipped like a private residence. That means there must be be fixed toilet facilities (no porta potties), permanent cooking facilities and permanent sleeping facilities on board. When you hoist anchor or leave the dock operators must not be under the influence of alcohol.

All alcohol can only be transported from residence to residence and must be in unopened bottles and in a closed container or locker. It is the responsibility of the vessel operator to be able to prove this to and enforcement officer.

Just like driving, alcohol and recreational drugs and boating, , do not mix. Setting aside the legal consequences for a moment, fatigue, sun wind and motion dull your senses and abilities to react. Consumption of alcoholic beverages only serves to intensify these effects. Lack of hand eye coordination and impaired judgement is often the result. Misjudgement on the water can have terrible consequences especially when you’re out of reach from the shore. Why risk it?

Now let’s look at the legal implications. Drinking, on the water, except as noted above, is illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code. For the first offence fines are no less than $600, prohibition from operating a vessel could be for up to three years as well as possible imprisonment. Provinces have their own rules but in Ontario and BC, for example, if caught drinking while operating a vessel you could immediately loose your automobile driving privileges for 12 hours. If you blow over the legal limit there is an automatic 90 day driver’s license suspension and if convicted that could be extended to a year. And that is just for the first offence. 

Being an enthusiastic boater means being smart. It’s only sensible to wait ‘til your docked or at anchor.

By John Gullick, currently CanBoat’s Manager of Government and Special Programs and has been an active recreational marine specialist and writer for over 50 years.

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