Hawaii - Boating Accidents

Inform – Aid - Cooperate

It is the duty of the operator of any vessel involved in a boating accident to give notice of the accident to a DLNR official, police officer or nearest police station, by the quickest means of communication available, if the accident results in:

• The death or disappearance of a person, or

• Injuries requiring medical assistance

Anyone involved in a boating accident that results in serious injury, drowning or disappearance must notify authorities as soon as possible.

Rendering Assistance

In the case of an accident, it is the vessel operator’s duty to render assistance to other persons and property to save them from danger caused by the accident so long as this action does not seriously endanger their vessel or any person aboard.

Any person who in good faith renders assistance at the scene of an accident without objection of any person assisted shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from the person's acts or omissions in providing assistance.

If a vessel strikes an unattended vessel, the operator is obligated to attach securely in a conspicuous place in or on the vessel a written notice providing the operator’s name and address to the owner and the identification of the vessel.

Filing an Accident Report

The operator must submit a written accident report on a form furnished by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation within 48 hours of the accident whenever a boating accident results in:

• Loss of life;

• The disappearance of any person;

• Injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid;

• Damage to any vessel or other property in excess of $2000. 

For all other accidents, a department accident report form must be submitted within seven days of the accident.

It shall further be the operator's duty to reasonably cooperate with all duly authorized personnel of governmental agencies investigating the accident.