It's the Law: On the Water
Vessel Accidents
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. Anyone who renders assistance at
the scene of a boating accident will not be held liable for
any civil damages as a result of providing reasonable and
prudent assistance.
The operator of a vessel involved in a boating accident or
the owner of the vessel reporting for the operator must
complete and submit a written boating accident report if:
- A person dies or disappears from the vessel under
circumstances that indicate death or injury or …
- A person is injured and requires medical treatment
beyond first aid or …
- Damage to the vessel(s) or other property exceeds $500
or there is complete loss of a vessel.
The boating accident report must be submitted to the
law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction where the
accident occurred within the following time frames.
- Within 48 hours of the accident if:
- A person dies within 24 hours of the accident or …
- A person is injured and requires medical treatment
beyond first aid or …
- A person disappears from a vessel.
- Within ten days for all other accidents.
Accident report forms are available from Washington
State Parks and Recreation Commission and local law
enforcement marine units.
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