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A person operating a boat that is involved in an accident or incident or witnesses an incident, must stop and give assistance and make a boating accident or incident report.
Anyone who observes a recreational vessel engaging in unsafe activities can make a marine safety concern report.
Boat owners, masters or operators
If your vessel is involved in an incident you must stop and:
- help as much as you can, without putting yourself, your passengers, and your crew at risk
- exchange your contact details with:
- the operator of any boat involved
- any injured person
- the owner of any damaged property.
Emergency situations may include a person overboard or engine failure. In some cases, a boat may have been abandoned.
Contact the Volunteer Marine Rescue Network on VHF Ch16 or 27 MHz on Ch88.
Witnesses to an accident incident
If you're not directly involved in the accident or incident, but see one occur, you have a legal obligation to help when possible. While helping, don't endanger your safety or the safety of your passengers or crew.
It's against the law to fail to stop and help after an incident. Penalties apply.
Provide your name and address
You're legally required to provide your contact details to the operator of any boat involved in an incident, any person injured, or the owner of any damaged property. If needed, also supply the name of the owner of your boat.
Report the incident
The owner, master, or operator of any vessel must report any incident that results in loss of life, personal injury, or property damage to a Marine Safety SA or a police officer within 48 hours of the incident.
Report a boating accident or incident
Incidents involving domestic commercial vessels
Commercial vessels, including hire and drive houseboats, must make 2 reports.
Report the incident or accident within 72 hours to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority by using incident report form 19.
