It's the Law: On the Water

Accidents and Casualties     IC 14-15-4

• Vessel operators involved in a boating accident must stop and remain at the scene to give assistance, including ensuring that any injured person involved in the accident receives medical treatment.
• Operators involved in an accident must give his or her name and address, vessel registration number, and the name and address of the vessel’s owner to operators of other vessels and any person injured in the accident.
• Operators must report the accident. A boating accident includes but is not limited to: capsizing, collision, foundering, flooding, fire, explosion, and the disappearance of a boat other than by theft.
• The operator must file an accident report form supplied by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources if:
  • A person dies or disappears or …
  • A person is injured or requires medical treatment or …
  • Damage to the vessel and other property exceeds $750.
• Failure to report a boating accident or collision which results in an injury to a person is a Class A misdemeanor. If the accident or collision results in serious bodily injury or death of a person, the offense is a felony.
• You must notify the office of the county sheriff, the nearest state police post, or the nearest conservation office as quickly as possible.
• Your written report must be made within 24 hours of the accident.