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 their vessel immediately at the scene of the accident and:

• Give assistance to anyone injured in the accident, unless doing so would endanger their own vessel or passengers
• Give their name, address and identifying number of their vessel to the other vessel’s operator and/or owner of damaged property

Vessel operators involved in an accident must report the accident to the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources if the accident has resulted in:

• Death or the disappearance of a person from a vessel
• Injury that requires medical attention or that incapacitates a person for 24 hours or more
• Property damage of $500 or more

Most reports of accidents must be made within 5 days of the accident. However, you must report an accident within 48 hours if the accident involves a death or a serious injury.

If the operator of the vessel is not capable of making the report and is not the owner of the vessel, the owner must file the report.

Accident report forms are available from the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources.

Accident or boating emergency?

In the event of an accident or other boating emergency, call the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, Division of Law Enforcement’s 24-hour emergency number at 1-800-252-5378.