KENTUCKY BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS

It is against the law to operate a boat or vessel including a personal watercraft (PWC), manipulate waterskis, surfboard or other similar device while intoxicated or under the influence of any other substance that impairs one’s driving ability.

In Kentucky, a person is considered to be under the influence if they have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher.

LAWS FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION

In Kentucky, it is illegal to drink alcoholic beverages in public places (this excludes licensed establishments). The waterways of Kentucky are considered public places. Additionally, in a public place, a person who is under the influence of alcoholic to the extent that they may unreasonably annoy or endanger themselves or others, shall be subject to arrest.

FINES AND PENALTIES

In Kentucky, a person convicted of operating a boat under the influence will be subject to the following penalties:

• Upon a first conviction, a person will receive a fine from $200-$250.
• Upon a second conviction, a person will receive a fine from $350-$500.
• Upon a third or subsequent conviction, a person will receive a fine from $600-$1000 and/or imprisonment for a minimum of 30 days.

ARIZONA BOAT REGISTRATION

To legally operate a motorized boat in Kentucky, the boat must be registered. Boats are registered at the County Clerk’s office and are valid on a yearly basis, expiring on April 30th, of each year.

Upon registering your boat, you will be provided with a Kentucky Certificate of Registration and registration decals. The Certificate of Registration must be carried on board during operation and be available for inspection by law enforcement, if required.  

Upon purchasing a boat, the boat owner will be required to apply for a title within 15 days of the boat purchase/transfer of ownership. 

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN KENTUCKY

• Human-powered craft.
• Boats that have been federally documented by the Coast Guard.
• Boats that have been registered in another state and are using Kentucky waters for 60 days or less.

BOAT TITLING REQUIREMENTS

Kentucky issues titles for all registered boats except those which are federally documented by the Coast Guard.

Whenever a boat is transferred or purchased, the seller shall, within 15 days, give the county clerk notice of the transfer of ownership.

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER REQUIREMENTS

Owners of homemade boats must apply to the Kentucky Department of Transportation in order to obtain a Hull Identification Number

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN KENTUCKY?

Boats in Kentucky are not required to be insured, however it is recommended.

Boats in Kentucky are required to correctly display their registration number and validations stickers. 

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• Numbers must be painted or permanently affixed to the forward half of each side of the boat where it can be easily seen (boat owners are not permitted to display any other numbers in this area).
• The number must be read from left to right.
• The number must be in vertical block letters that are at least 3 inches high, and in a color that contrasts with the color of the boat.
• The numbers must be separated from the letters by a hyphen or equivalent space.
• Decals must be placed towards the stern of the boat (behind the registration number) and must be within 6 inches of the registration number and in line with it.
• The same placement requirements apply to personal watercraft (PWCs). 

RECKLESS BOAT OPERATION

In Kentucky it is illegal to operate a boat in a reckless, negligent, or dangerous manner which may endanger the life or property of any person. The operator of a watercraft will be held responsible for any damage caused by negligent operation.

Additionally, Kentucky boaters on the Ohio River may also be subject to the laws of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and the Coast Guard.

Examples of reckless operation include:

• Weaving through congested boat traffic.
• Jumping the wake of another boat in such a way that endangers the life, safety, or property of any person.
• Cutting between a boat and a person being towed by the boat.
• Crossing the path of another boat when visibility is obstructed.
• Steering toward an object or individual in the water and turning sharply at close range.
• Following another boat too closely that is towing a person on water-skis, a surfboard or any towed sport device.
• Operating a boat that has been overloaded.

BOAT SPEED LIMITS AND OPERATION IN RESTRICTED AREAS

In Kentucky, boat operators must keep their boats at “No Wake” speed when operating in any area that has been designated as a “No Wake” zone.

Additionally, in Kentucky it is illegal for boats to operate within restricted areas as posted above or below navigation, power generating, or flood control dams.

NON-NATIVE AQUATIC SPECIES

American waterways have been under threat from foreign aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are transferred from boats and boating equipment that originate from external waterways. Once introduced to a new waterway, the ANS will detach from the contaminated boat and spread like wildfire. ANS include: Milfoil, Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels.

Why are ANS such a serious threat?

• They have no natural predators in U.S. waters.
• Some ANS can actually survive out of water, making transfer easy.
• They reproduce quickly.
• They have harmful effects on the native wildlife, habitats and ecosystems.

For more information on Aquatic Nuisance Species, visit: www.protectyourwaters.net/impacts.php.

HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES

• Inspect all surfaces of your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before leaving any body of water.
• Ensure you flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea-strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty and dry any buckets before leaving a body of water. 
• Remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props. 
• Dispose of plant fragments and bait into a garbage receptacle on land.  
• Avoid chopping vegetation with your boat’s propeller.
• Clean and dry all live-wells prior to transporting your boat.
• Drain all water from your motor and bilge and dry all areas. t.
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.