It's the Law: On the Water

Boating Accidents

• An operator involved in a boating accident or other casualty must:
  • Stop his or her vessel immediately at the scene of the accident and ...
  • Give assistance to anyone injured in the accident or minimize any danger caused by the accident unless doing so would seriously endanger his or her vessel or passengers and ...
  • Give his or her name, address, and the identifying number of his or her vessel in writing to anyone injured from the accident and to the owner of any damaged property.
• Accidents must be reported if they result in the death or injury of anyone or in property damage over $500.
• The operator must give notice of the accident immediately, by the quickest means possible, to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the nearest law enforcement agency, or the State Police. To contact LDWF in an emergency, call 1-800-442-2511.
• The operator also must file a written report on an accident report form within five days of the accident. Accident report forms are available from any LDFW office or may be downloaded from the LDWF's website, www.wlf.louisiana.gov.