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Tennessee’s Boat Accident Reporting Requirements

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What to do if you’re Involved in a Boat Accident

Tennessee’s boat accident regulations require that boat operators involved in a boating accident is required to:

Stop their boat at the scene.
Render assistance to any person who has been injured or who is in danger so long as they can do so without risking their safety or their passenger’s safety.

Boat Accident Reporting

A written accident report must be filed with the Tennessee Wildlife and Resources Agency (TWRA) within 48 hours if:

A person is killed.
A person is injured and requires treatment beyond first aid.
A person disappears from the boat.

A written accident report must be filed with the TWRA within 10 days if:

Property damage exceeds $2,000 or there is total loss of the boat.

Note: Boat operators involved in incidents where persons are seriously injured or killed may be charged with a felony resulting in a fine of $10,000 and 15 years imprisonment.

Tennessee’s Marine Permits

Boat races, marine parades and any other special aquatic events which may restrict local navigation or require additional patrol by wildlife officers, may not be held without first obtaining a permit from the Executive Director of the TWRA. The free permit may be requested by applying to the TWRA at least 30 days prior to the date of the event.