67-7027. COLLISIONS, ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES — REPORTS. (1) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vessel on the water of this state to fail to report any accident or casualty occasioned by the operation of a vessel and as herein provided.
(2) It shall be the duty of the operator of any vessel involved in a collision, accident or other casualty, so far as he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, passengers and guests to render aid to other persons affected by the collision, accident or other casualty and also to give his name, address and identification of his vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident or other casualty.
(3) It shall be the duty of the operator of any vessel involved in a collision, accident or other casualty resulting in death or injury to a person or damage to property in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500):
(a) To immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of the accident to the sheriff of the county in which the accident occurred; and
(b) To file with the sheriff of the county in which the accident occurred, a boating accident report within forty-eight (48) hours of the occurrence if a person dies within twenty-four (24) hours of the occurrence, or in the case of an incapacitating injury or if a person disappears from the vessel. A report shall be filed within ten (10) days of the occurrence or death if an earlier report is not required by this paragraph. The report shall be made on forms provided by the department, but shall not be referred to in any way as evidence in any judicial proceeding. A copy of such report shall also be readily transmitted by the sheriff to the designated state boating safety coordinator.
(4) If the operator of the vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty is incapacitated, and there is another person in the vessel at the time of the accident capable of giving immediate notice of an accident as required herein, the person shall give or cause to be given the notice not given by the operator.
(5) If the operator of the vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty is incapacitated, the investigating law enforcement officer shall file the required form as prescribed by the director.
History:
[67-7027, added 1986, ch. 207, sec. 2, p. 527; am. 1990, ch. 75, sec. 1, p. 158; am. 1996, ch. 54, sec. 6, p. 163; am. 2010, ch. 71, sec. 1, p. 119.]