Boating Accident Report
BoatWiki - Definitions
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Definition
Jan 16, 2024 - An accident report in boating terms is a written notification to the appropriate authorities about an incident involving a boat related collision, injury or fatality. This fulfills a requirement under both federal and state laws applicable to incidents that fall within the purview of such regulations.
Context
Although federal regulations (WikiTags) dictate the basic requirements for reporting boat accidents, most states have their own set of ancillary rules. The timing and thresholds may accordingly vary among the respective jurisdictions. While many states have boat accident report forms available on their own websites, most will accept the U.S. Coast Guard's reporting form version (WikiTags). In some instances, a hand written statement may even suffice. Visit WikiTags to determine the boat accident reporting requirements of every state and U.S. territory.
Jurisdictions
The U.S. Coast Guard gathers and publishes statistical data on boating accidents throughout the country. However it defers the handling of such incidents to the respective state jurisdictions. Reporting on accidents occurring in international waters beyond territorial limits are typically handled by the jurisdiction in which the boat is flagged or registered.
Commercial Vessels
Commercial vessels may be subject to requirements beyond those of recreational vessels when it comes to accident reporting. This is especially applicable with regard to crewing injuries, groundings and pollution matters. Owners and operators should accordingly check with the Coast Guard or a maritime attorney about any such matters.
Conclusion
Failure to report boating accidents, injuries or fatalities in a timely manner and to the appropriate authorities can have severe ramifications. Boat owners and operators that are involved in accidents and unsure of their reporting requirements should immediately seek the help of a local enforcement agency or qualified attorney.
Credits and References
Jan 16, 2024 - Page revised.
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