It's the Law: On the Water

Accidents and Casualties

An operator involved in a boating accident must:

• Stop his/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/her own vessel or passengers and …
• Give, in writing, his/her name, address, and vessel identification to anyone injured and to the owner of any damaged property.

A vessel operator involved in a boating accident must report the accident if it results in:

• Death or disappearance of any person or …
• Injury to any person or …
• Damage in excess of $1,000 to any one person’s property or total damage in excess of $2,000 (for example, property damage may include damage from striking submerged objects such as stumps, rocks, etc.).

Accidents must be reported immediately, by the quickest means of communication, to the nearest South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks officer or other law enforcement officer.

In the event the operator is incapable of reporting the accident, another occupant of the vessel involved in the accident must provide notification of the accident.