Subdivision 1. Operator's duty at accident or incident. (a) The operator of a watercraft involved in an accident or incident resulting in injury or death to a person or in damage to property shall, if possible without serious danger to the watercraft or the persons aboard, immediately stop at the scene of the accident or incident and render assistance as may be practicable and necessary.
(b) The operator must give the operator's name, address, and license number of the watercraft and the name and address of the owner of the watercraft to the person injured or the operator or occupants of the other watercraft or owner or occupant of the property involved. The operator must promptly report the accident or incident to the sheriff of the county where the accident or incident occurred. Sheriffs are required to report all accidents and incidents to the commissioner of natural resources, who must periodically transmit a summary of the reports to the commissioner of public safety, and transmit statistics on boating accidents and incidents to the United States Coast Guard.
Subd. 2. Owner's and operator's liability. (a) The owner and operator of a watercraft are jointly and severally liable for any injury or damage caused by the negligent operation of a watercraft whether the negligence consists of a violation of the provisions of the statutes of this state or neglecting to observe ordinary care in the operation as the common law requires. The owner is not liable if the watercraft is being operated without the owner's express or implied consent. It is presumed that the operation of a watercraft is with the knowledge and consent of the owner if at the time of the injury or damage the watercraft is under the control of the owner's spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other member of the owner's immediate family.
(b) This subdivision may not be construed to:
(1) relieve other persons from liability which the persons would otherwise have; or
(2) authorize or allow recovery in excess of the injury or damage actually incurred.
1990 c 391 art 9 s 20; 1994 c 615 s 8
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 85 - 87A — Recreation
Chapter 86B — Water Safety And Watercraft
Section 86B.001 — Water Use Policy.
Section 86B.005 — Definitions.
Section 86B.101 — Watercraft Safety Program.
Section 86B.105 — Sheriff's Safety Program.
Section 86B.106 — Barring Vehicles From Unsafe Ice.
Section 86B.107 — Removing Submerged Vehicles From State Waters.
Section 86B.111 — Navigation Markers And Buoys.
Section 86B.115 — Using Docks And Structures For Advertising.
Section 86B.121 — Races, Competitions, And Exhibitions.
Section 86B.125 — Leased Watercraft.
Section 86B.13 — Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program.
Section 86B.201 — State Law And Local Ordinance Authority.
Section 86B.205 — Water Surface Use Ordinance.
Section 86B.211 — Water Safety Rules.
Section 86B.301 — Watercraft Licenses Required.
Section 86B.305 — Youth Operators.
Section 86B.311 — General Rules For Operation.
Section 86B.313 — Personal Watercraft; Regulations.
Section 86B.315 — Towing Person On Water Skis Or Other Device.
Section 86B.321 — Noise Limits.
Section 86B.325 — Discharge From Marine Toilets Prohibited.
Section 86B.33 — Operating While Impaired.
Section 86B.335 — Testing For Alcohol And Controlled Substances.
Section 86B.341 — Duties And Liabilities At Accident Or Incident.
Section 86B.401 — Watercraft Licenses.
Section 86B.405 — Dealer's License.
Section 86B.411 — Government Watercraft Licenses.
Section 86B.415 — License Fees.
Section 86B.421 — Licensing By Political Subdivisions.
Section 86B.501 — Personal Flotation And Lifesaving Devices.
Section 86B.505 — Watercraft Capacity Plates.
Section 86B.515 — Sirens And Sound-producing Devices.
Section 86B.521 — Motorboat Noise Control.
Section 86B.525 — Device For Arresting Backfire.
Section 86B.531 — Fire Extinguishers And Fuel Area Ventilation.
Section 86B.532 — Carbon Monoxide Detection; System Requirements.
Section 86B.535 — Marine Toilets.
Section 86B.601 — Scuba Diving.
Section 86B.701 — Funding County Water Safety.
Section 86B.705 — Allocating Water Recreation Account, Fines, And Forfeited Bail Money.
Section 86B.706 — Water Recreation Account; Receipts And Purpose.
Section 86B.801 — Enforcement Authority.
Section 86B.805 — Enforcement Watercraft.
Section 86B.811 — Criminal Penalties.
Section 86B.815 — Violation As Evidence In Civil Action.
Section 86B.820 — Definitions.
Section 86B.825 — Certificate Of Title Required.
Section 86B.830 — Applying For And Issuing Certificate Of Title.
Section 86B.835 — Dealer Acquisition And Transfer.
Section 86B.840 — Transfer By Owner.
Section 86B.841 — Transfer-on-death Title To Watercraft.
Section 86B.845 — Temporary Watercraft Use Permits.
Section 86B.850 — Duplicate Certificate.
Section 86B.855 — Suspending Or Revoking Certificate.
Section 86B.860 — Responsibilities Of Commissioner.
Section 86B.875 — Inapplicable Liens And Security Interests.
Section 86B.880 — Security Interests.
Section 86B.885 — Owner-created Security Interest.
Section 86B.890 — Licensed Watercraft Previously Perfected.
Section 86B.895 — Satisfaction Of Security Interest.
Section 86B.900 — Disclosing Security Agreement.
Section 86B.905 — Effect Of Suspension Or Revocation On Security Interest.
Section 86B.910 — Undisclosed Security Interests.