Although many think of boating as the lawless West of old, it's not. The Code of Federal Regulations imposes various duties on vessel operators in the context of marine incidents including the duty to report the event. 33 C.F.R. § 173.55 speaks to Casualty and Accident Reporting. When this regulation applies, a vessel operator must submit a casualty or accident report where (1) a person dies; (2) a person is injured and requires treatment beyond first aid; (3) the damage to vessels and other property totals $2,000.00 or more, or, there is a complete loss of the vessel; or (4) a person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury.

Underway and making way.

John Fulweiler

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Fulweiler llc