Collisions

If your boat has been involved in a collision, perform the following:

Step 1) Ensure that everyone is wearing a life jacket or PFD.

Step 2) Visually and/or verbally confirm that all passengers are present and accounted for.

Step 3) Determine if there are other craft in the vicinity that may offer assistance.

Step 4) Determine if there is any danger of being hit by another boat.

Step 5) Inspect the hull and equipment for any damage–check for rising or accumulating water in the hull.

Step 6) If necessary, signal your need for assistance.

 

 

Reporting a Collision

You are required to take certain actions if you have been involved in a collision:

• You are required to stop and identify yourself, your vessel, your home port, and your ports of origin and destination to the other craft
• You are required to assist the crew of the other vessel if it is safe to do so
• If damage exceeding $1,000 has occurred, or the seaworthiness of either vessel has been compromised, you are required by law to file an accident report with the local authorities
• If serious injury or death has occurred, you are required by law to report the collision to the local law enforcement agency

Abandoning Ship

If circumstances (such as an onboard fire) indicate that you and your passengers need to abandon ship, perform the following:

Step 1) Ensure that you and your passengers are wearing a life jacket or PFD.

Step 2) If time permits signal your need for assistance with a radio, flare, horn or flashlight.

Step 3) If possible jump to the windward side of the boat (the boat will drift away from you).

Step 4) Once in the water swim well clear of the boat.

Step 5) Visually and/or verbally confirm that all passengers are present and accounted for.