Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Boating Accidents & 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 the owner of any property damaged by the accident.
  

Boating Accident Report Form

The operator or owner of a vessel involved in an accident must notify immediately, by the quickest means possible, the sheriff of the county in which the accident took place if any of the following occur:

• A person dies or disappears or …
• A person is injured or …
• Damage to the vessel and other property exceeds $500.
  

Written accident reports must be filed:

• Within 48 hours in cases involving a death, disappearance, or injury or …
• Within 10 days for accidents involving only property damage.
  

Boating accident report forms can be found at any sheriff’s department office or by calling the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation at 208-334-4199.