Ch. 12                                      2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 12
(Senate Bill 115)

AN ACT concerning

Boating Accidents

FOR the purpose of increasing the minimum damage amount before a boating
accident is required to be reported to the Department of Natural Resources;
requiring that certain boating accidents involving two or more vessels,
regardless of the amount of damage to property, be reported to the Department;
and generally relating to boating accidents.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Natural Resources
Section 8-724

Annotated Code of Maryland
(2000 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

8-724.

(a)     The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty
shall render all practical and necessary assistance to persons affected by the collision,
accident, or casualty to save the persons from danger caused by the collision,
accident, or casualty, to the extent the operator can do so without serious danger to
the operator's own vessel, or persons aboard. The operator also shall give the
operator's name, address, and the identification of the operator's vessel to any person
injured and to the owner of any property damaged. The duties imposed by this
subsection are in addition to any duties otherwise imposed by law.

(b)     If an accident involves any vessel subject to this subtitle while on the
waters of the State and results in the death, disappearance, or injury of any person or
in property damage [in excess of $500] OF $2,000 OR MORE, or there is complete loss
of the vessel, OR A COLLISION OCCURS INVOLVING TWO OR MORE VESSELS,
REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, the operator or owner, if
the operator cannot submit a report, shall file with the Department a full description
of the accident, including any information the Department requires by regulation. If
the accident caused the death or disappearance of any person or a person receives
medical treatment beyond first aid, the report shall be made within 48 hours. Any
other accident resulting in personal injury or property damage shall be reported
within 10 days. This subsection does not apply to a vessel required to have a
certificate of inspection under Chapter 1, Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations.

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