Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Boating Accidents & Casualties—What The Law Requires You To Do (625 ILCS 45/6)

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.
• Give, in writing, his or her name, address and vessel identification to any person injured and to the owner of any damaged property.

A vessel operator is required to make a written report whenever a boating accident results in:

• Loss of life or disappearance of a person or...
• Injury to any person or...
• Property damage in excess of $500

Accidents that result in death of or serious injury to any person must be reported to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by the operator within 48 hours of the accident. All other reportable accidents must be reported to the DNR within 5 days.

Accident report forms are available from any DNR office or on the Internet.

The vessel owner is liable for any injury or damage caused by negligent operation of any powered vessel.