Legal frame
Governing: ΓΚΛ 20 art. 4(1)(α), 4(2)(ε), 24(1)(ι), 25(3), 34; ΚΔΝΔ art. 157. Builds on: L2.1.
The rule
ΓΚΛ 20 art. 25(3) is short:
- Operating any sea recreation craft (speedboat, motor boat, jet ski, towed ride, anything the regulation covers) under the influence of alcohol, toxic substances or medicines is prohibited.
- Testing is compulsory after any fatal accident or accident causing injury, and in any other case where there are signs of alcohol, drugs or medicines.
- Testing follows the procedure of law 2696/1999, Greece's Road Traffic Code.
The rule sits in a chain of duties:
| Who | Duty | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Speedboat skipper | Must not take aboard anyone under the influence | art. 4(1)(α) |
| Owner | Must not let anyone under the influence use the boat | art. 4(2)(ε) |
| Rental operator | Must refuse to rent to anyone under the influence | art. 24(1)(ι) |
| Hirer | Must not use the craft under the influence, and must comply at once if refused | art. 34(1)(δ), 34(2) |
The missing number
We found no numeric blood- or breath-alcohol limit for boat operators in ΓΚΛ 20, ΓΚΛ 38 or the other texts read. The regulation borrows the testing procedure of the Road Traffic Code; it does not say whether the road limits apply as well. We could not confirm either way.
Practical consequences:
- There is no "legal amount" you can rely on. An officer who sees signs of drinking can test you, and the result will be judged against a rule that says only "under the influence".
- The Coast Guard does breath-test at sea. Greek press, including the public broadcaster, has reported breath tests of skippers during summer checks, without citing a limit.
WARNING — zero is the only safe figure Treat boating like flying, not like driving: if you have had a drink, someone else skippers. Heat, sun and motion make alcohol hit harder on the water than at the bar.
Medicines count
The ban names medicines as well as alcohol and drugs. Sea-sickness tablets and some painkillers cause drowsiness. Hirers must also tell the operator about any health problem that could put them at risk (art. 34(1)(ε)).
What happens if you breach it
- Administrative fine under ΚΔΝΔ art. 157: €50 to €60,000, set by the head of the Port Authority according to seriousness, circumstances, repetition and harm.
- Licence suspension of 1 to 12 months if a licence holder repeats the same offence within 12 months (ΓΚΛ 20 art. 39(3)).
- Criminal and civil liability stay separate. Port-regulation fines apply "regardless" of them (art. 39(1)). After an accident with injuries, a positive test will weigh heavily in any case.
CAUTION — the operator is on the hook too An operator who rents to a visibly drunk hirer breaches art. 24(1)(ι) and faces a fine under ΚΔΝΔ art. 157 in their own right. Expect a responsible operator to say no, and do not argue: art. 34(2) obliges you to comply.