Federal
Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats
Reporting Boating Accidents
The operator or owner of any recreational
boat is required to file a Boating Accident Report (BAR) if
the boat is involved in an accident that results in:
- Loss of life; or
- Personal injury which requires medical treatment beyond
first aid; or
- Damage to the boat and other property damage of $2,000 or
more; or
- Complete loss of the boat.
Boat operators are required to report their
accident to local authorities in the State where the accident
occurred.
Fatal Accidents
Immediate notification is required for fatal
accidents. If a person dies or disappears as a result of a
recreational boating accident, the nearest state boating authority
must be notified without delay. The following information
must be provided:
- Date, time and exact location of
the accident;
- Name of each person who died or
disappeared;
- Number and name of the vessel; and
- Name and address of the owner and
operator.
Reporting Timelines
- If a person dies, disappears from
the boat, or there are injuries requiring medical treatment
beyond first aid, a formal report must be filed within 48
hours of the accident.
- A formal report must be made within
10 days for accidents involving property damage of $2,000
or more, or complete loss of a vessel.
Note: State requirements for Reporting Boating
Accidents may be more stringent than Federal (i.e. some States
require ALL boating accidents to be reported immediately).
Check with the Boating Law Administrator in the State where
the accident occurred for proper reporting procedures.
The U.S. Coast Guard Infoline
If you need further information regarding
accident reporting, please call the U.S. Coast Guard Infoline
at 800-368-5647.
Rendering Assistance
The master or
person in charge of a vessel is obligated by law to provide
assistance that can be safely provided to any individual in
danger at sea. The master or person in charge is subject
to a fine and/or imprisonment for failure to do so.
Requesting Towing Assistance (Non-Distress Call)
When a boater contacts the Coast Guard on
channel 16 VHF-FM and the situation is determined to be non-distress,
the Coast Guard will offer to contact any assistance provider
(commercial or friend) the boater requests. If the boater
has no preference, the Coast Guard will issue a Marine Assistance
Request Broadcast (MARB) to all local commercial assistance
providers approved by the Coast Guard.
A provider will contact the boater directly.
Making a Distress
Call
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