§5507. Duties of operators involved in boating accidents.

(a) General rule.--The operator of a watercraft involved in an accident shall immediately stop the watercraft at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible. Every stop shall be made without obstructing the safe navigation of other watercraft more than is necessary.

(b) Duty to give information.--The operator of a watercraft involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to property shall give his name, address and the registration number of his watercraft to an officer authorized to enforce this title, the operator or occupants of any other watercraft involved in the accident and a person who owns or is in control of any property damaged in the accident.

(c) Duty to render aid.--The operator of a watercraft involved in an accident involving injury or death shall render reasonable assistance to a person injured in the accident if the operator can reasonably do so without endangering persons or property.

(d) Duty to remain at or near scene.--The operator of a watercraft involved in a watercraft accident involving injury to or death of a person or damage to property other than the operator's watercraft or other property contained therein shall remain at or near the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the duties described in subsection (b) if the operator can reasonably do so without obstructing navigation of other watercraft or endangering persons or property. When circumstances make it clearly impractical to remain at or near the scene of the accident on the water, the operator may fulfill the requirements of this subsection by going to shore at a location near the scene of the accident.

(e) Penalties.--

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person violating this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(2) If a victim of an accident dies, any person violating subsection (d) commits a felony of the third degree.

(Nov. 1, 2012, P.L.1716, No.211, eff. 60 days)

Notation

2012 Amendment.  Act 211 added section 5507.