The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries requirements for online boating safety courses changed effective January 1, 2009 and the NEW Boat Virginia Online Course meets those requirements. The old Boat Virginia course and test does not meet those requirements and was discontinued on December 31, 2008.
The course material below remains as a resource for all who boat on Virginia's waters—particularly experienced boaters who need a refresher, but not a boater education certificate.
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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 their vessel immediately at the scene of the accident and …
- Aid anyone injured in the accident, unless doing so would
endanger their own vessel or passengers and …
- Give, in writing, his or her name, address, and vessel identification
to the other vessel’s operator and/or owner of damaged
property.
Immediate Report of the Accident
When an accident occurs that requires a written report (see below), the operator must, without delay and by the quickest means available, notify the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) in Richmond, Virginia, or the most immediately available member (Conservation Police Officer) of the department’s law enforcement force, of:
- The date, time, and exact location of the occurrence and
...
- The major details of the accident including the name of each
person who died or disappeared and ...
- The number and name of the vessel and ...
- The names and addresses of the owner and operator.
When the operator of a vessel cannot give the notice described
above, each person on board the vessel must notify VDGIF or a member
of its law enforcement force, or determine that the notice has
been given.
Written Report of the Accident
In addition to the notification required above, the operator of
a vessel must submit a written casualty or accident report to VDGIF
when, as a result of an occurrence that involves the vessel or
its equipment:
- A person dies or ...
- A person is unable to perform normal or usual activities or
...
- Damage to the vessel and other property damage totals more
than $2,000 or complete loss of the vessel or ...
- A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that
indicate probable death or injury.
A written report must be made:
- Within 48 hours of the occurrence if a person
dies within 24 hours of the occurrence or if
a person is unable to perform normal or usual activities or if
a person disappears from a vessel or ...
- Within 10 days of the occurrence or death
if an earlier report is not required.
When the operator of a vessel cannot submit the written report
required by this section, the owner must submit the required report.
Virginia
boating accident report forms can be obtained from any office
of the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheriesor online.
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