Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Boating Accidents & Casualties—What The Law
Requires You to Do

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.

The operator or owner of a vessel involved in an accident must notify immediately the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission or local Sheriff’s Department in order for an investigation to be conducted if:

• A person dies or disappears or ...
• A person is injured or ...
• Damage to the vessel or other property exceeds $500.

State law requires that all reportable accidents be investigated. Call 1-800-482-9262.