Operation Manual

number within fteen (15) days if the ves-
sel is transferred, destroyed, abandoned,
lost, stolen or recovered, or if the certi-
cate of number is lost, destroyed or the
owner’s address changed. If the certicate
of number becomes invalid for any rea-
son, it must be surrendered in the manner
prescribed to the issuing authority within
15 days.
Accident Reporting
Federal law requires the boat operator to
le a boating accident report with the state
reporting authority when, as a result of an
occurrence that involves a boat or its equip-
ment:
• a person dies;
• a person disappears from the vessel un-
der circumstances that indicate death or
injury;
• a person is injured and requires medical
treatment beyond rst aid;
• damage to vessels and other property
totals $2,000 or more (the amount may
be lower in some states and territories;
verify with local boating authorities); or
• the boat is destroyed.
If the boat operator is deceased or un-
able to make the report, the boat owner is
required to le the report.
Note that your responsibility does not
end with your own craft. You are required
by law to respond to any distress signal,
visual or auditory. Render immediate assis-
tance, EXCEPT in instances in which you
and your passengers will be endangered or
those situations that exceed your capabili-
ties or the capabilities of your boat. Good
Samaritan protection is provided to boaters
who provide good faith assistance and pro-
tects them from civil liability for assistance
given.
Speeding and Noise
Some states and boating areas have im-
posed speed limits for operation of boats,
including but not limited to no-wake zones.
Noise regulations may also be imposed. It
is the responsibility of the boat operator to
be familiar with any and all laws and regu-
lations and to obey them. The U.S. Coast
Guard is an excellent source for this infor-
mation, including penalties for failure to
observe the requirements.
Page 1-22 2014 MasterCraft Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge
S A F E T Y K N O W L E D G E