Introduction
If a boating accident occurs in any port or navigable water in NSW, the master of the vessel must:
- stop the vessel immediately
- give assistance if required
- produce any applicable licence
- give details (including the master's name and address and any vessel distinguishing numbers) to any person having reasonable grounds to request them.
If you need help, alert search and rescue services.
Follow the reporting procedures after the incident within the timeframe required for a recreational or commercial vessel.
What you need
- the time, place and nature of the accident
- the name and registration number of the vessels involved in the accident (if available)
- the name and address of every person who was concerned with, or witnessed, the accident (if available)
- the details of any injury or damage resulting from the accident
- your boat driver's licence or Certificate of Competency details
- the form, either for
- recreational vessels – Vessel incident report form or
- commercial vessels – Incident report form and Incident alert form (if required)
- your written report if applicable.
Submit a recreational vessels report
- Download and complete Vessel incident report – PDF.
- Attach any additional documents.
- Post or email your report using the details on the form.
Requirements
If the incident has resulted in death or injury, or damage in excess of $5000 to a vessel or any other property, submit the report to Transport for NSW within 24 hours, unless the particulars have already been given to a Transport for NSW officer.
Penalties apply for not reporting an incident to Transport for NSW.
Submit a commercial vessels report
Incident report
An incident report must be submitted by the master and/or owner to the NSW delegate of Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Transport for NSW, within 72 hours of their becoming aware of the incident.
- Complete the online Incident report (AMSA Form 19).
- Follow the prompts to submit your report.
Incident alert
Where an incident has resulted in the death or serious injury of a person, the loss or significant damage of a vessel, or the loss of a person from the vessel, the owner and/or master must give an incident alert to the NSW delegate of Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Transport for NSW, within 4 hours of becoming aware of the incident.
- Complete the online Incident alert (AMSA Form 18).
- Follow the prompts to submit your report.
Penalties
Penalties apply for not reporting an incident to the NSW delegate of Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Transport for NSW.
Contact
For further information and assistance with completing the report call 13 12 36.