Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Boating Accidents and Casualties—
What The Law Requires You To Do

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.

Vessel operators involved in an accident must report the accident in writing to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Accidents involving death, disappearance, or injury also require notifying the DNREC by the quickest means possible.

• If a person disappears or is injured requiring medical attention beyond first aid as a result of the accident, the operator must notify the DNREC immediately and also report the accident in writing to DNREC immediately.
• If a person dies as a result of the accident, the operator must notify DNREC immediately and then report the accident in writing to DNREC within 24 hours.
• If damage to the vessel and other property exceeds $500, the operator must report the accident in writing to DNREC within five days.

Written reports must be made on accident report forms supplied by the DNREC.