What is in florida what are boat operators required to do when involved in an accident?

In Florida, boat operators involved in an accident are legally required to take certain actions. These include:

• Stopping and Rendering Assistance: The operator must immediately stop the vessel at the scene of the accident and provide assistance to any injured person, or any person whose property has been damaged, as long as they can do so without seriously endangering their own vessel or passengers. More information can be found at: Stopping%20and%20Rendering%20Assistance

• Providing Information: The operator must provide their name, address, and the vessel's identification number to anyone injured or whose property has been damaged in the accident. More information can be found at: Providing%20Information

• Reporting the Accident: An accident report must be filed with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) if it results in any of the following:

  • Death of any person. More information can be found at: Death
  • Serious Bodily Injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid. More information can be found at: Serious%20Bodily%20Injury
  • Property Damage totaling at least $2,000. More information can be found at: Property%20Damage
  • Complete loss of a vessel.

  The report must be submitted within specific timeframes: within 48 hours for accidents resulting in death and within 10 days for all other reportable accidents.

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in civil and criminal penalties.