Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Vessel 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 certificate of number to anyone injured and to the owner of any property damaged by the accident.

Vessel operators involved in an accident must report the accident by the quickest means possible if it has resulted in:

• Death or ...
• The disappearance of a person from a vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury or ...
• Injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid or ...
• Property damage exceeding $500 to all vessels, docks, etc. involved in the accident.

Accident reports submitted by the operator(s) are confidential and are not admissible in court as evidence.

Report forms are available from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offices, game wardens, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/responsible/accident_reports/