Accident Reporting

We hope you are never involved in a boating accident, but there are certain rules and procedures you must follow if you are.

• All boating accidents, or accidents resulting from the use of related equipment, must be reported to the proper marine law enforcement authority of the state in which the accident occurs.


• If, as a result of a boating or related equipment accident, anyone sustains injuries that require more than first aid, you will have to file a formal report.


• Accidents involving more than $2,000 damage must be reported within 10 days. This includes the loss of a vessel. Not all states have adopted this standard so it’s important to check your state’s requirement.


• Any injury to a person, if the injury is beyond the administration of simple first aid, must be reported within 48 hours.


• If someone dies or disappears as a result of a recreational boating accident, the nearest state boating authority must be notified without delay. A formal report must be filed within 48 hours.

The following information must be provided:

• Date, time, and exact location of the accident


• Name of each person who died or disappeared


• Number and name of the vessel


• Names and address of the owners and operators.

Boating Accident Report Form

U.S. Coast Guard reports indicate that only 5 to 10 percent of non-fatal boating accidents are reported. Most accidents are not reported because of ignorance of the law and difficulty in enforcing the law. Every effort to assist boaters to report accidents may increase the rate of compliance in reporting accidents. Accident reports are also important because they are reviewed and from them safety programs are developed to make the sport safer.