California Harbors and Navigation Code 655.6 – (a) It is an infraction for a person under the age of 21 years …
(a) It is an infraction for a person under the age of 21 years who has 0.01 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to operate any motorized vessel or manipulate water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device.
(b) A person may be found to be in violation of subdivision (a) if the person was, at the time of operating any motorized vessel or manipulating water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device, under the age of 21 years and under the influence of, or affected by, an alcoholic beverage regardless of whether a chemical test was made to determine that person’s blood-alcohol concentration and if the trier of fact finds that the person had consumed an alcoholic beverage and was operating any motorized vessel or manipulating water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar device while having a concentration of 0.01 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood.
Terms Used In California Harbors and Navigation Code 655.6
- Alcohol: means any form or derivative of ethyl alcohol (ethanol). See California Harbors and Navigation Code 651
- Chemical test: means a test that analyzes an individual's breath, blood, or urine for evidence of drug or alcohol use. See California Harbors and Navigation Code 651
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Person: means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, or other entity, but does not include the United States, the state, or a municipality or subdivision thereof. See California Harbors and Navigation Code 651
- Vessel: includes every description of a watercraft or other artificial contrivance used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except either of the following:
California Harbors and Navigation Code 651
(c) Section 655.1 applies to violations of this section.
(d) A violation of this section is punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100). A second violation occurring within one year of a prior violation which resulted in a conviction is punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200). A third or any subsequent conviction within a period of one year of two or more prior infractions which resulted in convictions is punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250). A person found to have committed a violation of this section shall be required to participate in an alcohol education or community service program as provided in § 23502 of the Vehicle Code.
(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 118, Sec. 1.2. Effective January 1, 1999. Operative July 1, 1999, by Sec. 85 of Ch. 118.)