Keeping it Between the Buoys: Assessing Self-Reported Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in a Young Adult Population

Abstract

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) has recently become a topic of significant concern. Employing a sample of 1,082 young adult boaters, we explore demographic characteristics of those who seek various levels of intoxication while boating and apply several of the leading criminological theories to the study of BUI. We evaluate self-report measures of intoxicated boating, buzzed boating, and BUI. Results indicate that social learning theory and low self-control are leading predictors of BUI. We conclude that given the social nature and cultural acceptance of drinking while boating, simply lowering the blood alcohol content legal limit may not solve the BUI problem.

Cannabis Legalization and the Policing of Boating Under the Influence in Washington State: Exploratory Research on Marine Officers’ Perceptions

“…In an attempt to better understand motivations underlying the practice of BUI, Miller and Stogner (2015) explored the traits of younger adults who have experienced intoxication while boating. They analyzed survey data collected among 1,082 university students at a public university in the Southeast self-identifying as young adult boaters (Miller & Stogner, 2015, p. 72).…”

“…Survey subjects were drawn from classes randomly selected from a stratified matrix; subjects were found to be relatively affluent, taking part in water sports most of the year. They reported frequently using alcohol and other psychoactive substances, including cannabis, both separately and in combination (Miller & Stogner, 2015). More than 25% of the students reported operating a motorized vessel after consuming alcohol, with 14.3% doing so after three or four drinks, and 4.9% after five or more drinks (Miller & Stogner, 2015, p. 74).…”