There Is a Newer Version of the Wyoming Statutes
  1. 2025 Wyoming Stat.
  2. 2024 Wyoming Stat.
  3. 2023 Wyoming Stat.
  4. 2012 Wyoming Stat. (here)
  5. View All Versions
View Our Newest Version Here

2012 Wyoming Statutes
TITLE 41 - WATER
CHAPTER 13 - WATERCRAFT
41-13-206. Operation of watercraft by intoxicated or drugged person prohibited.

Universal Citation:
WY Stat § 41-13-206 (through 2012)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

(a) As used in this section:

(i) "Alcohol concentration" means as defined in W.S. 31-5-233(a)(i);

(ii) "Controlled substance" includes:

(A) Any drug or substance defined by W.S. 35-7-1002(a)(iv);

(B) Any glue, aerosol or other toxic vapor which when intentionally inhaled or sniffed results in impairment of an individual's ability to safely operate a watercraft.

(b) No owner of any watercraft or person having charge or control of a watercraft shall authorize or knowingly permit it to be operated by any person who is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or combination thereof in violation of subsection (c) of this section.

(c) No person shall operate or be in actual physical control of a watercraft if the person:

(i) To a degree which renders him incapable of safely operating a watercraft:

(A) Is under the influence of alcohol;

(B) Is under the influence of a controlled substance; or

(C) Is under the influence of a combination of the elements named in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph.

(ii) Has an alcohol concentration of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) or more; or

(iii) Has an alcohol concentration of ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) or more as measured within three (3) hours of the time of operation or actual physical control.

(d) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of this section relating to operating or being in actual physical control of a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol, the amount of alcohol in the defendant's blood at the time alleged as shown by chemical analysis of the defendant's blood, urine, breath or other bodily substance shall give rise to the following presumptions:

(i) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration of five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%) or less, it shall be presumed that the defendant was not under the influence of alcohol;

(ii) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration of more than five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%) and less than ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%), that fact shall not give rise to any presumption that the defendant was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but it may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

(e) Nothing in subsection (d) of this section shall be construed as limiting the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing upon the question of whether or not the defendant was under the influence of alcohol, including tests obtained more than three (3) hours after the alleged violation. The fact that any person charged with a violation of subsection (c) of this section is or has been entitled to use the controlled substance under the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against any charge under this section. It is an affirmative defense to a violation of paragraph (c)(iii) of this section that the defendant consumed a sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of actual operation or physical control of a watercraft and before the administration of the evidentiary test to cause the defendant's alcohol concentration to exceed ten one-hundredths of one percent (0.10%) but evidence of the consumption may not be admitted unless notice is given to the prosecution pursuant to Rule 12.1 of the Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(f) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 119, 3.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize a violation of the Wyoming controlled substances act.

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Wyoming may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.