Whether you’re a new or experienced boater, the state of California expects you to know and abide by all state boating laws. As we enter a new year, it’s helpful to look into new boating laws that may affect your trips. The team of boat collision lawyers at BoatLaw, LLP, can help you navigate any challenges you face.
At BoatLaw, LLP, we focus exclusively on boat and maritime law. Our in-depth knowledge and experience of this complex area of law puts us in the best position to tackle all types of maritime accident and injury claims, including those that arise from violation of California state law. Attorneys Douglas Williams and Nick Neidzwski have spent more than 40 years helping injured victims and their loved ones fight for compensation. Call us at 1-800-BOATLAW to schedule a free consultation.
Boater Card Requirements
The biggest change in California maritime law in 2025 relates to the state’s requirement for a boater card. California is one of the last states to require boating education for vessel operators, and as part of that requirement, they slowly ramped up boater card requirements. By the start of 2023, California required that all boaters 50 or younger have a boater card. Starting in 2025, all boaters must have a boater card when operating a vessel. The boater card is proof that the operator has passed a boating safety course and passed the required exam. This is important for those involved in accidents—a boat collision attorney may point to an operator’s failure to carry a card as proof that they were operating negligently.
This is a big change for operators in California, and it’s important to abide by it to avoid heavy penalties.
When Do You Need to Report a Boating Accident?
California’s laws relating to boat accident reports have been on the books for years. In certain circumstances, boat accidents must be reported to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. When you retain a boat collision lawyer for an injury claim, they will often use this report to bolster your claim.
In some situations, you need to report an accident within 48 hours. The 48-hour requirement applies in collisions resulting in death within 24 hours of an accident, the disappearance of a person, or any injury requiring care beyond basic first aid.
In other cases, you only have to report an accident within 10 days. This applies in accidents that cause more than $500 in property damage, result in the complete loss of a boating vessel, or result in death more than 24 hours after the collision.
If you’re involved in a collision that falls into either of these categories and you either do not report it on time or fail to report it entirely, you may be penalized. This misdemeanor can result in a fine as high as $1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. For example, you may be involved in a crash that fits into one of these two categories and choose not to report it. However, if the other party hires a boat collision law firm, they will likely report the accident and there may be penalties as a result.
Benefits of Reporting an Accident
Not only is reporting a boating collision legally required in many cases, a report can provide you with a number of benefits. To start, a report ensures that the necessary authorities have looked into the accident and issued any necessary citations. This can help you if the other party caused the crash and you end up needing to seek compensation from them.
A report can also document important pieces of evidence, such as contact information for eyewitnesses. Eyewitness accounts can strengthen your case, provide important insight, and clear up any inconsistencies between the involved parties’ stories.
Finally, your accident report may give your boat collision attorney a strong starting point for their investigation. Knowing exactly what both parties experienced, what types of injuries were reported, and how much property damage occurred can save a significant amount of time during the investigative process.
Start Your Injury Claim With BoatLaw, LLP
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, it’s time to connect with our maritime law firm. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 1-800-BOATLAW or contacting us online.
Nicholas J. Neidzwski is a trial attorney who handles maritime and personal injury litigation. Appearing for plaintiffs in state and federal courts throughout Washington, California, Oregon, Alaska, and other jurisdictions. Nick’s litigation experience includes the successful resolution of various Jones Act, general maritime, and product liability cases on behalf of many different individuals. Nick was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers 2016 through 2024. Learn more here.
