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.
• Give, in writing, his or her name, address and vessel identification to any person injured and to the owner of any damaged property.

A vessel operator is required to make an oral and written report whenever a boating accident results in:

• Loss of life or disappearance of a person or...
• Injury to any person or...
• Property damage in excess of $2,000

Oral reports must be made immediately to a conservation warden or a local law enforcement officer.

A written report must be made within 10 days on Department of Natural Resources form 4100-20 to DNR-Boat Safety, Box 7921, Madison, WI 52707.