We all use glass bottles everywhere. From clubs to small events and homes, these bottles are part of our daily routine. Glass bottles serve beverages of different types, ranging from water to liquor and wine. However, the question arises: Can you have glass bottles on a boat? All of us travel by boat in our daily lives.
Some people go out on trips to enjoy boating experiences. You might like to have some sips of your favorite liquor while traveling. Imagine having a boat party with some whiskey bottles on the side. Therefore, knowing if glass bottles are allowed on a boat is crucial. This article will discuss the rules about carrying bottles on a boat. So, let’s get started!
Is It Allowed to Have Glass Bottles on a Boat?
The answer is YES and NO, depending on the country and state in which you are!
Most of the boats allow the use of glass bottles. They have a recycle bin where you can throw the empty bottles. Moreover, if you are on a private boat, you use glass bottles. However, some states don’t allow using glass bottles in boats. For example, a few rivers in Texas don’t allow the use of glass bottles.
Those include the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers. Similarly, some beaches in Florida don’t allow using glass bottles when sitting and traveling on boats. On the flip side, some states don’t have strict regulations about using glass bottles in boats. Those include Michigan, Wisconsin, and Oregon.
Whether you can carry glass bottles on the boat depends on the state in which you are! Some states ban the use of glass bottles in boats. They consider the glass bottles unsafe as they can break and cause injuries. Interestingly, many rivers and water bodies don’t have any rules. In such cases, the boat owner or company decides whether to use bottles on the boat.
Here is a table showing some regions that allow and don’t allow the use of bottles in boats:
| Region/Location | Use of Glass Bottles |
| Private Boats (Unregulated Waters) | Allowed |
| International Waters / Open Ocean | Allowed |
| United States – Michigan, Oregon, Washington | Allowed |
| United States – Texas (Certain Rivers) | Not Allowed |
| United States – Florida (Beaches/Parks) | Not Allowed |
| Australia – General Rivers and Lakes | Allowed |
| Australia – National Parks | Not Allowed |
| United Kingdom – Most Boating Areas | Allowed |
| Canada – Provincial Parks | Not Allowed |
| Canada – Open Lakes and Rivers | Allowed |
| Europe – France, Spain, Italy (Boats) | Allowed |
Is it the Right Idea to Have Glass Bottles on a Boat?
The next question is whether the glass bottle should be used or brought on the boat. I believe NO! There are multiple issues that glass bottles can cause when used on the ship. Let’s discuss some key disadvantages of using glass bottles:
1- Reason for Potential Injuries
Glass bottles used for beverages are not very strong. For example, whiskey, vodka, and even wine bottles are fragile. If they fall off, they are more likely to break. When they fall and break, they change into shards and small pieces.
These shards can injure other people on the boat. Generally, boats don’t have doctors. If the boat is on a long route, those injuries remain untreated and get infected. Therefore, small boat owners don’t allow the use of glass bottles on the boat. The safety of passengers is the key reason behind the ban on glass bottles in many states.
2- Cleanliness Issues in the Boat
As I said earlier, boats remain in motion consistently. However, the waves of the water bodies can make the boat shake, causing bottles to fall, break, and become shards. Cleaning the shards is a challenging task for the boat employees.
Even if the shards are removed, some particles remain on the spot. Those particles are not big enough to be spotted. However, if someone puts their feet on them, they can cause injuries, keeping the boat unsafe for everyone onboard.
3- Environmental Harm if Bottles Fall into Water
As you know, glass doesn’t biodegrade. If a bottle goes into the river, it will remain there for hundreds and thousands of years. Imagine a broken bottle going into the water. It will stay there and cause injuries to fish and other aquatic life.
In this way, marine life is a specific spot that can face serious issues. Modern boats indeed come with specific compartments where you can throw bottle pieces. But with their reckless approach, some people throw bottles into the bodies of water. It is not just wrong but criminal, forcing boat owners to stop using glass bottles on the boats.
4- Can be Used as a Weapon
As you know, the safety of people present on boats is key for boat companies. Imagine people arguing about boats, which can become a heated debate. In that case, glass bottles can be used as a weapon if things escalate.
As you know, glass bottles can not only cause injuries by death if hit on sensitive parts like the head. Imagine someone hitting a glass bottle on the head of another person in the middle of a water body. This could be awful, to say the least. This is another reason that many boat owners don’t allow these bottles.
Best Alternatives to Glass Bottles on Boats
Plastic bottles are the best alternative to glass bottles when going on a boat. As said earlier, the major drawback of glass bottles is that they break and cause injuries. However, plastic bottles don’t break even if they fall off, so they are safer and don’t cause injuries. Secondly, plastic bottles are very lightweight.
If they fall on a water body, they don’t go deep into it. Instead, they swim on the surface. So you can take the plastic bottle out of the river if it mistakenly falls into it. Moreover, the plastic bottle can keep the beverage fresh and doesn’t affect its taste. When the beverage inside the bottle finishes, you can throw it into the boat’s bin.
Do Charter Boat Companies Allow Glass Bottles?
Generally, charter boats do not allow glass bottles in the boat. They have strict rules to ensure the safety and security of the ship and the people onboard. However, some premium and high-end private boats allow the glass bottles. As they are private, you are more likely to get permission to use the bottles.
Interestingly, some charter boats have glass bottles but remain under the crew’s control. If you need a beverage, the crew member will serve it in glass. So you don’t get the glass bottles, but you get the beverage. This ensures customers get what they want without affecting the boat’s safety.
Are There Safe Ways to Store Glass on a Boat?
Yes, a few ways can help you safely carry a bottle in a boat. However, you should first confirm whether the boat owner allows the use of glass bottles on the boats. If it is allowed, then you can follow the below tips for better safety of bottles:
- You should use padded bottle sleeves. These sleeves provide cushion to the bottles. If the bottle falls, this cushioning prevents the bottle from breaking.
- You should keep the glass bottle wrapped in bubble wrap or a towel when traveling. Once wrapped, keep the bottle in your suitcase. This will ensure the bottle doesn’t get broken if the boat moves due to water waves.
- The boats come with countertops and open shelves where customers can put their items. However, you should never put your glass bottles on these shelves. If you do so, the chances of the bottle falling off and breaking are higher.
- There are some inflatable bottle protectors available in the market. These are sleeves filled with air. You will see these sleeves used during the shipping of wine bottles. You should use these sleeves to keep the glass bottle safe in the boat. First, these sleeves protect the bottle against shocks. Secondly, if the bottle falls into the water, it won’t sink. You’ll be able to take it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put glass bottles in the ocean?
No, you cannot throw glass bottles in the ocean. These bottles don’t biodegrade, so they remain in the water for a long time and cause problems for aquatic life. It is against the rules of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
Are glass bottles allowed on boats in national parks?
Generally NO! Almost all the national parks have strict policies against using glass bottles. This is due to the fact that these bottles can cause marine pollution. They contaminate lakes and small beaches.
Can you have glass bottles on a boat in Texas?
Yes, you can have glass bottles because Texas has no official rule banning them. However, the individual rivers’ sports policies can vary. You should ask the local authority of that specific river for confirmation.
Can you have glass bottles on a boat in Florida?
Like Texas, Florida doesn’t have rules on whether glass bottles can be on a boat. So, you can use glass bottles in boats. However, I highly recommend checking the rules set by local authorities.
Conclusion
Glass bottles are popular for carrying and transporting beverages. They are cheap and easy to carry on long journeys. However, when it comes to boating, these bottles face restrictions. Many states and regions may have rules against using glass bottles on the boat. In fact, many boat companies don’t allow the use of bottles.
The primary reason is that glass bottles can pose serious safety threats. Those threats can include injuries through shards and environmental harm. Remember, don’t just rely on the information I have given you, as any area and state rules can vary. You should confirm with the local authorities before bringing the bottle on a boat.
