Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of
Boating
Boating Accidents and 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…
- Assist anyone injured in the accident, unless doing so would endanger his or her own vessel or passengers.
Every vessel operator involved in a reportable accident must notify the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) immediately. The operator also must file a written accident report form with TWRA.
- The accident report form must be filed within 48 hours if:
- A person dies or disappears or …
- Someone is injured requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
- The accident report form must be filed within ten days if damage exceeds $2,000.
Failure to report a boating accident is a criminal offense and may result in prosecution by TWRA.

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