New York Boating Accident Report Laws
Driving a boat is a delightful pastime, but it is one that comes with serious obligations. These include taking responsibility when involved in an accident and stopping to help other boaters in distress. Boating can be dangerous, and there are laws in place to ensure that help can be obtained in an emergency and that the relevant parties are provided with all of the information they need.
Accidents that cause under $1,000 in property damage
When an accident occurs that causes property damage totalling less than $1,000, the vessels involved are required to stop and give their contact information to the party that sustained the damage. The information that must be provided includes the operator’s name and address, the owner’s name and address (if different from the operator), and the vessel’s identification number.
In the event that the other party cannot be located or leaves the scene before information can be exchanged, the accident must be reported to law enforcement as soon as possible. Failure to do so is a violation that carries a fine of $100 to $250.
Accidents that cause injury or disappearance
When an accident occurs that results in someone getting injured or disappearing under the water, the vessels involved are required to stop and provide their contact information to the injured party, if possible. The accident must also be reported to law enforcement as soon as possible.
Failure to provide contact information in these circumstances is considered a misdemeanor. A first offense carries a fine of $250 to $500. Further violations within 5 years carry fines of $500 to $1,000.
Accidents that cause severe injury, death, disappearance or over $1,000 in property damage
In addition to the requirements mentioned above, accidents that result in severe injury, death, disappearance or over $1,000 in property damage must be reported in writing to New York State Parks within 5 days. Operators are expected to include information about factors that may have contributed to the accident, such as boating while intoxicated or failure to wear a life jacket.
Failure to file a boating accident report form in these circumstances is punishable by a fine of $25 to $100. Failure to stop in the event of an accident that results in severe injury, death or disappearance is considered a felony.
Providing assistance: New York’s Good Samaritan Law
New York boating law requires boat operators to stop and provide assistance when they encounter a vessel in distress, even if they were not involved in the incident.
Operators are expected to stop and help unless doing so would endanger their vessel or passengers, interfere with rescue efforts or law enforcement or cause further damage.
Learn everything you need to know about boating from Drive a Boat USA
It is important for vessel operators to know how to react and what is expected in the event of an emergency on the water. To that end, New York is implementing a requirement for individuals to take a US boat safety course and obtain certification before operating a motorized vessel on state waters.
Drive a Boat USA’s online safety course teaches everything you need to know to pass the exam and obtain your New York boater education card. Register today!