Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Boating Accidents & Casualties—What the Law Requires
You to Do
Vessel operators involved in an accident, a collision or other
casualty must immediately inform the Missouri State Water Patrol
of the accident.
The operator must also file an accident report form supplied by
the Missouri State Water Patrol if:
- A person dies or disappears or...
- An injury occurs causing any person to lose consciousness,
require medical treatment or be disabled for more than 24 hours or...
- Damage to the vessel and other property exceeds $500.
Most reports of accidents must be made within 5 days of the accident.
However, you must file an accident report within 48 hours if a
person dies or is injured as a result of the accident.
It is also the duty of any operator involved in a boating accident
to render all necessary aid and assistance, so far as is possible
without endangering his or her own passengers or vessel.
An operator will be guilty of leaving the scene of a vessel accident
if he or she knows injury or damage has occurred as a result of
the accident, but he or she fails to stop and give the other party
or a law enforcement officer the following information:
- His or her name and address
- The vessel registration number
- His or her drivers license number.
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