Submit Vessel Incident Reports

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 licence, and
• give details (including the master's name and address and any vessel distinguishing numbers) to any person having reasonable grounds for requesting them.

Reporting procedures and requirements after the incident are different for recreational and domestic commercial vessels. For more details, please visit Transport for NSW.

You can submit an application by mail or by fax, or you can visit a service centre to apply in person.

To make sure that you have all the information and documentation you need to complete this transaction, please visit Maritime incident reporting on the Transport for NSW website. 

• 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 Vessel Incident Report form or Domestic Commercial Vessel Incident Report form, and
• your written report if applicable.

1. Download, print and complete either the Domestic Commercial Vessel Incident Report form – DOT or the Vessel Incident Report form – PDF. 
2. Attach any additional documentation.
3. Submit your application either in person at a service centre, or by fax to (02) 9563 8699, or mail it to:
   
   Marine Investigations Unit
   Locked Bag 5100
   Camperdown NSW 1450

Recreational Vessels

• if the incident has resulted in death or injury, or damage in excess of $5000 to a vessel or any other property, the report must be forwarded to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) within 24 hours, unless the particulars have already been given to a TfNSW officer, and

• penalties apply for not reporting an incident to TfNSW.

Domestic Commercial Vessels

• 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 initial report to a delegate of the National Regulator (TfNSW in NSW) as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of the incident

• in any case, a marine incident as defined in the National Law must be reported in writing by the master and/or owner to a delegate of the National Regulator (TfNSW in NSW) within 72 hours of becoming aware of the incident, and

• penalties apply for not reporting an incident to a delegate of the National Regulator (TfNSW in NSW).

To make sure that you have all the information and documentation you need to complete this transaction, please visit Maritime incident reporting at the Transport for NSW website.