If you are operating a boat that is involved in an accident, you must take the following action:

• Stop your boat and give assistance.  If the accident or incident results in death or injury of any person, or damage to another vessel that affects the seaworthiness or the safety of those on board, you must render any assistance possible without putting yourself or your passengers or crew in danger. You may be able to call the Volunteer Marine Rescue on VHF Ch16 or 27 MHz on Ch88 and you may be able to provide valuable help as a witness. It is against the law to fail to stop and assist after an accident and penalties apply.

• Give your name and address and, if requested, the name of the owner of the boat to the operator of any other boat involved, any injured person or the owner of any damaged property.

The owner, master or operator of any vessel is required to report an accident or incident which results in loss of life, personal injury or property damage, to a Transport Safety Compliance Officer Marine or a Police Officer near the location as soon as possible but within 48 hours, or 24 hours in the case of a hire and drive vessel, except:

• Where property damage is minor, or in the case of a recreational vessel the total does not exceed $300.00
• Where personal injury does not require medical attention.

 You must provide the following details:

• time and place of the accident
• circumstances
• name and address of any person killed or injured
• names and addresses of any witnesses
• the nature of property damage.

A Vessel Accident Report form for reporting boating accidents or incidents is available here and from Transport Safety Compliance Officers - Marine and most South Australia Police stations.