8

In an excercise in complete idiocy, I was looking for legal loopholes to consume alcohol on a single person platform while fishing on a lake without the threat of a boating DUI.

The CA DMV says an exemption for the definition of a 'Vessel' (I cannot be piloting a vessel while intoxicated,) is a seaplane.

The regulations for homebuilt ultralight aircraft are found in 14 CFR Part 103. Complying with that sounds like a walk in the park. There are many kits made for this sort of thing, Ultralight Seaplanes are fairly common in the personal aircraft world.

I'm just trying to get out on the water, knock back some beers and fucking fish. Obviously I wouldn't operate this 'ultralight' while shitfaced, it's just anchored. It would be towed to lakes like any other boat launch. Basically a floatplane that is anchored indefinitely. It will never be intended to be "piloted" while I am intoxicated, it will just be floating out there.

Would that situation exempt me from CA dui laws on the water for my experimental ultralight seaplane?

Drunk wants to fish on a lake
  • 89
  • 2

2 Answers2

1

Regulation 14 C.F.R. § 91.17

a) No person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft— (2) While under the influence of alcohol;

(b) ... no pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a person who appears to be intoxicated ... to be carried in that aircraft.

Either you're crew, or you're a passenger: they've got you either way.

david
  • 848
  • 3
  • 9
-5

I think a simpler approach might be to avoid the use of a "vessel" entirely. Look up the laws related to something like a floating platform.

You may be able to tow the platform out into a lake with a boat, exit the boat and proceed to fish/drink from the platform. As the platform would have no means of propulsion whatsoever, it should not be able to be viewed as a "vessel". It may be possible to use an inflatable platform.

Make sure that you also look up laws related to fishing while intoxicated while you are looking up laws, just to cover your bases.

Robert Benson
  • 91