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.

An accident report form must be submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Lake Patrol Section if the accident results in:

• Death or disappearance of a person or ...
• Injury to a person requiring medical treatment beyond first aid or ...
• Property damage (including damage to vessels) in excess of $500.

Reports of deaths or disappearances must be made by the quickest means possible to the local police department, county sheriff’s office, or highway patrol office.

You must give your name, address, and Certificate of Registration information in writing to any injured person and to the owner of any damaged property if you are involved in a boating accident.

If an operator 16 years old or older, operating in a reckless manner, causes an accident resulting in the death of another person (either immediately or within one year of the accident), the operator will be guilty of negligent homicide.