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.

Vessel operators involved in an accident must report the accident to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department if any of the following occur.

• A person dies or disappears or …
• A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid or …
• Damage to the vessel and other property exceeds $2,000 or there is the complete loss of the vessel.

Written reports of accidents involving only property damage must be made within 5 days of the accident. However, you must file an accident report within 48 hours in cases involving a death, disappearance, or injury.

Accidents should be reported on accident report forms available from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.