When should you report a boating incident?

Reporting a boating incident is crucial for ensuring safety on the water and for legal compliance. You should always report a boating incident when there is a fatality, injury, or damage exceeding $2,000. This requirement is in line with Florida law, which emphasizes the importance of reporting significant accidents to the appropriate authorities. By doing so, it helps facilitate investigations, gather important data for safety improvements, and provides necessary assistance for those involved in the incident.

Choosing to report only when someone is injured, while important, does not encompass the full scope of what needs to be reported under the law, particularly regarding financial damages. Seeing another boat in trouble may warrant assistance, but it does not require a formal report unless specific conditions such as the aforementioned fatalities or injuries exist. Waiting until you reach the nearest dock may introduce delays in reporting a serious incident, which can result in reduced aid for those affected and might contravene legal responsibilities as a boat operator.