It's the Law: On the Water

Accidents, Casualties, or Theft

• 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 anyone injured and to the owner of any property damaged by the accident.
• Vessel operators or owners whose vessel is involved in an accident, casualty, vandalism, or theft must report the incident immediately to the Department of Environmental Management or to a nearby state or local police office if the incident results in:
  • Death or disappearance of a person or ...
  • Injury to a person or ...
  • Property damage or loss exceeding $2,000.
• Vessel owners whose vessel is involved in an accident, casualty, vandalism, or theft exceeding $2,000 must make written reports of those damages or losses within five days of the incident. Report forms are available by contacting DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement Office at 401-222-2284 or online at: www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/enforce/pdfs/boatacc.pdf.
• Vessel operators who cause serious bodily injury to another person due to reckless operation will be charged with "operating so as to endanger, resulting in personal injury" and, if convicted, be imprisoned for up to five years.
• Vessel operators who cause the death of another person due to reckless operation will be charged with "operating so as to endanger, resulting in death" and, if convicted, be imprisoned for up to ten years.

Boating Accident Report Form