Boating, Paddling & Water Safety
Rules of operation
The big rule is simple: boating while intoxicated is a crime. It lives in Chapter 577, not the boat registration chapter people often cite.
Boating while intoxicated (BWI)
It is a Chapter 577 crime
Boating while intoxicated and related offenses are in Chapter 577 — not Chapter 306.
It's an offense to operate a vessel while in an intoxicated condition (RSMo 577.013). 'Operate a vessel' means controlling a boat moving under engine or sail power.
Boating with excessive blood alcohol content (RSMo 577.014) is 0.08% or more.
Because BWI is about engine or sail power, pure paddle and oar craft fall outside it — but impaired paddling is still dangerous and can trigger other violations.
A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and a $1,000 fine) plus a required safety course. It climbs to a Class A misdemeanor, then a felony, for repeat offenses, injury, or death.
Implied consent applies — operating a vessel means you've agreed to alcohol testing.
Water-skiing or tow-sports while intoxicated or reckless is RSMo 577.024. Negligent operation of a vessel is RSMo 577.025.
Alcohol containers
Missouri bans beer bongs and alcohol containers holding more than 4 gallons on the rivers of the state — except the Mississippi, Missouri, and Osage rivers (RSMo 306.109). It's a river rule, not a lake one.
The 100-foot no-wake rule (a lake rule)
The 100-foot Slow–No-Wake rule is a LAKE rule (RSMo 306.125): on Missouri lakes, go Slow–No-Wake within 100 feet of a dock, pier, occupied anchored boat, or buoyed restricted area. On rivers and managed areas, follow posted no-wake zones and the managing agency's rules.
The PWC 50-foot rule
A PWC may not operate above Slow–No-Wake within 50 feet of another vessel or a person in the water, and may not wake-jump in a way that blocks visibility (RSMo 306.142).
Night speed limit
From a half-hour after sunset until an hour before sunrise, no vessel may exceed 30 mph.
Who can operate
A person under 14 may not operate a motorboat or PWC unless someone 16 or older is aboard supervising.
Right-of-way basics
Right-of-way basics: keep to the right, the boat being overtaken has the right of way, sail and paddle craft generally have the right of way over power, and at a crossing give way to the boat on your right.
If there's an accident
If an accident causes death, injury, or property damage over $500, the operator must report it to the Highway Patrol (Water Patrol) and must stop, give identifying information, and render aid (RSMo 306.140).
Lake vs. river
Two worlds, two rulebooks
The same word — "boating" — covers two very different worlds in Missouri, and several rules split right down the middle. Here's where they differ:
| Rule | On the lakes | On the float streams |
|---|---|---|
| Boater card | Required on the lakes for motorized operators born after Jan. 1, 1984. | No card trigger for paddle craft. |
| 100-ft no-wake | Slow–No-Wake within 100 ft of a dock, pier, anchored boat, or restricted area (RSMo 306.125). | Follow POSTED no-wake zones and the managing agency's rules. |
| Boating while intoxicated | Applies to boats under engine or sail power (Chapter 577, 0.08% BAC). | Pure paddle and oar craft fall outside BWI — but impaired paddling is still dangerous and can trigger other violations. |
| Containers & alcohol | No statewide open-container ban on the water — but BWI still applies, so whoever's driving stays sober. | Sealed nonglass containers, a trash bag attached, and no glass on capsize-prone vessels (306.325) — plus no beer bongs or 4+ gallon containers, except on the Mississippi, Missouri, and Osage (306.109). |
| The main danger | Big, fast boats, wakes, and storms that build fast over open water. | Strainers, low-head dams, foot entrapment, and flash floods. |
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