What to do if you’re involved in a boat accident
An operator involved in a boat accident is required to:
- Stop their boat at the scene of the accident.
- Assist any person in distress, or who has been injured, so long as they are able to do so without risking the safety of their passengers or of themselves.
- Provide their name, address and boat information, in writing, to any person who was injured and to the owner of any property that was damaged as a result of the accident.
Boat Accident Reporting
Boat accidents must be reported by the quickest means possible to any of the following:
- The Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
- The County Sheriff (where the accident occurred).
- The police department of the municipality where the accident occurred.
Florida’s boat accident reporting requirements state that a boat accident must be reported by the quickest means possible if any of the following occur:
- A person is killed or disappears from the boat.
- A person is injured and required medical attention beyond first aid.
- There is damage to a boat or to personal property which exceeds $2,000.
Note: Florida’s boat accident reporting requirements stipulate that it is a criminal offence to fail to render assistance, or to fail to report an accident.
To learn more about boat accident reporting requirements in Florida visit https://myfwc.com/