It's the Law: On the Water

Boating Accidents

• An operator involved in a boating accident must:
  • Stop his or her vessel immediately at the scene of the accident and ...
  • Assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident, unless doing so would seriously endanger his or her own vessel or passengers and ...
  • Give, in writing, his or her name, address, and vessel identification to anyone injured and to the owner of any property damaged by the accident.
• The operator of a vessel involved in an accident must submit a written report to the Alabama Marine Police Division if as a result of the accident:
  • A person dies or disappears or …
  • A person is injured and remains incapacitated for more than 72 hours or …
  • Damage to the vessel and other property exceeds $2,000.
• Reports of accidents must be made within 10 days of the accident on the forms provided by Marine Police officers, the Marine Police Division, or county sheriff’s offices.
• A uniformed Marine Police officer, county sheriff, or other authorized enforcement officer may arrest, at the scene of the accident, any person they reasonably believe contributed to the accident.
• A person who unlawfully and unintentionally causes the death of another person, while engaged in violation of any boating law or regulation, will be guilty of homicide.