Rounder
Official Texas boating safety course Texas Parks and Wildlife Department official seal

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/

Sample boat accident report form

Separator
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Boat Ed, provider of official boating safety courses for more than 40 states
Find Another
Boating Safety Course

Course Material
Boating Terms
Get Certified

The Handbook of Texas Boating Laws and Responsibilities

< Back to Previous Page Table of Contents Go to Next Page >
 
Online boating license and certification course last modified: January 28, 2010
Email concerning this boat safety course.
NASBLA logo Questions? Call Boat Ed at 1-800-830-2268
Copyright © 1998-2010 Boat Ed. All rights reserved.
Review Boat Ed's privacy policy.
Approved by NASBLA and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard logo
Rounder