Majority want the same blood alcohol limit at sea as on the road

15.07.2026 - A survey conducted by YouGov for Tryg Insurance in Norway shows that 55 per cent of respondents want the same blood alcohol limit at sea as on the road.

“If you are responsible for the boat, you should be sober,” says Ole Irgens, Head of Communications at Tryg.

The YouGov survey, conducted for Tryg in June, shows that a majority want the blood alcohol limit for operators of recreational boats to be lowered. Fifty-five per cent answered yes, 29 per cent no, while 16 per cent were unsure.

Support is highest among women, with 59 per cent in favour, and among people over the age of 60, where 63 per cent support a lower limit.

In Norway, the blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.2 per mille. For motorboats under 15 metres and sailing boats between 4.5 and 15 metres, the limit remains 0.8 per mille.

“In practice, the current limit means that most people can legally operate a recreational boat after consuming the equivalent of three or four half-litre beers,” Irgens says.

He argues that it is difficult to explain why people are still legally permitted to operate fast recreational boats with a blood alcohol level considerably higher than that allowed on the road.

“It is also difficult to understand the opposition to lowering the limit, both among members of parliament and boating organisations,” Irgens continues.

Figures from the Norwegian Maritime Authority show that 259 people died in accidents involving recreational vessels between 2017 and 2026. Of these, 103 were recorded as being under the influence of alcohol or other substances. This corresponds to almost 40 per cent.

The Accident Investigation Board Norway has previously noted that fatal recreational boating accidents involving groundings and collisions are often characterised by high speed, twilight conditions, and moderate to significant intoxication.

“When the boat operator is under the influence, everyone on board is at risk. We are therefore disappointed that politicians and boating organisations continue to hold back. The public wants a lower limit, experts identify intoxication as an important risk factor, and the experience from road traffic is clear,” Irgens says.

“The current limit sends the wrong signal. In practice, it says that drinking and operating a recreational boat is acceptable. The attitude towards impaired operation should be the same at sea as on the road: if you are going to operate a boat, you should be sober,” Irgens concludes.