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Chapter 4
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officers
and all other officers with law enforcement
authority have the right to stop and board vessels
in order to check for compliance with state and
federal laws.
Boating Accidents and Casualties...What the Law Requires You To Do
Boating Accident Report Form
◆ An operator involved in a boating accident must stop his or her vessel
immediately at the scene of the accident and:
• Assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident, unless doing so
would seriously endanger his or her own vessel or passengers
• Give, in writing, his or her name, address and vessel identification to
any person injured and to the owner of any damaged property.
◆ A vessel operator is required to file a written report whenever a boating
accident results in:
• Loss of life or disappearance of a person or…
• Loss of consciousness, medical treatment or disability for more than
24 hours or…
• Property damage in excess of $500
◆ Reports must be made within 48 hours when the accident resulted in
a death, disappearance or injury. In other cases, reports must be made
within five days. All reports must be submitted to the Nebraska Game
and Parks Commission, Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503.
◆ Accident report forms are available from any Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission office.
◆ The vessel owner is liable for any injury or damage caused by negligent
operation of any powered vessel. The owner is not liable if the vessel is
being used without his consent unless the operator is a member of his
immediate family.
Enforcement
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officers and all other peace officers
enforce the boating laws of Nebraska. U.S. Coast Guard officers also patrol and have
enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.
◆ Officers have the authority to stop and board your vessel in order to check for
compliance with state and federal laws.
◆ It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a person with law enforcement
authority. An operator who has received a visual or audible signal from a law
enforcement officer must bring his or her vessel to a stop.
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