In Florida, a boating accident report must be filed when the accident causes death, disappearance, certain injuries, or at least a set amount of property damage.

Core rule (the threshold)

Under Florida Statutes on vessel safety, an operator must report a boating accident if any of the following occurs:

  • A person is killed as a result of the accident.
  • A person disappears from a vessel under circumstances that suggest injury or death.
  • Someone suffers bodily injury that needs more than immediate first aid or requires medical treatment.
  • There is at least about $2,000 in damage to boats, structures, or other property.

So, on typical multipleā€‘choice boaterā€‘safety questions, the correct situation is the one describing:

  • Death,
  • Disappearance,
  • Injury needing professional medical care, or
  • Property damage of $2,000 or more.

Examples that do and donā€™t require a report

Situations that do require a report in Florida:

  • A passenger breaks a leg and goes to the hospital after a collision.
  • A skier falls, disappears, and cannot be located.
  • Two boats collide and repairs are estimated over $2,000 total.

Situations that usually do not require a report:

  • A minor scratch on the hull with very small repair cost and no injuries.
  • Someone gets a small bruise or cut that can be handled with basic first aid only.

How fast the report must be made

Florida and federal rules also set time limits once the accident is ā€œreportableā€:

  • Within 48 hours if there is death (or death within 24 hours), serious injury, or disappearance.
  • Within 10 days if it is a reportable crash with only property damage meeting the $2,000 threshold.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.