West Virginia Code
Article 7. Law Enforcement, Motorboating, Litter
§20-7-18. Care in Handling Watercraft; Duty to Render Aid After a Collision, Accident, or Casualty; Accident Reports


(a) No person shall operate a motorboat, jet ski, or other motorized vessel or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.
(b) No person shall operate any motorboat, jet ski, or other motorized vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance or drug, under the combined influence of alcohol and any controlled substance or any other drug, or while having an alcohol concentration in his or her blood of eight hundredths of one percent or more, by weight.
(c) The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as he or she can do so without serious danger to his or her own vessel, crew, and any passengers, to render to other persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty. The operator shall also give his or her name, address, and identification of his or her vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty.
(d) The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty shall file an accident report with the director if the incident results in a loss of life, in a personal injury that requires medical treatment beyond first aid or in excess of $2,000 damage to a vessel or other property. The report shall be made on such forms and contain information as prescribed by the director. Upon a request duly made by an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise available to the director pursuant to this subsection shall be transmitted to the official or agency.

Structure West Virginia Code

West Virginia Code

Chapter 20. Natural Resources

Article 7. Law Enforcement, Motorboating, Litter

§20-7-1. Chief Natural Resources Police Officer; Natural Resources Police Officers; Special and Emergency Natural Resources Police Officers; Subsistence Allowance; Expenses

§20-7-1a. Natural Resources Police Officer Salary Increase Based on Length of Service

§20-7-1b. Designation of Certain Federal Law-Enforcement Officers as Special Natural Resources Police Officers

§20-7-1c. Natural Resources Police Officer, Ranks, Salary Schedule, Base Pay, Exceptions

§20-7-1d. Awarding Service Weapon Upon Retirement; Disposal of Service Weapon When Replaced Due to Routine Wear; and Furnishing Uniform for Burial

§20-7-1e. Natural Resources Police Officers Failure to Perform Duties; Penalty; Providing Extraordinary Law Enforcement or Security Services by Contract

§20-7-1f. Awarding Service Weapon to Special Natural Resources Police Officers Upon Retirement; Disposal of Service Weapon When Replaced Due to Routine Wear; Furnishing Uniform for Burial

§20-7-2. Qualifications of Natural Resources Police Officers; Right of Retired Officer to Receive Complete Standard Uniform; Right of Retired Officer to Acquire Uniform; and Right of Retired Officer to Acquire Badge

§20-7-3. Powers and Duties of Other Law Officers

§20-7-4. Powers and Duties of Natural Resources Police Officers

§20-7-4a. Arrest Procedure

§20-7-4b. Record of Cases

§20-7-5. Enforcement of Chapter

§20-7-6. Prosecutions Under Chapter; Attorney Services; Costs

§20-7-7. Conspiracy to Violate Chapter; Withholding Information; Obstructing Officers

§20-7-8. Seizure and Disposition of Property Used for Illegal Purpose

§20-7-9. Violations of Chapter Generally; Penalties

§20-7-10. Justice of Peace Jurisdiction Under Chapter

§20-7-11. Motorboats and Other Terms Defined

§20-7-12. Motorboat Identification Numbers Required; Application for Numbers; Fee; Displaying; Reciprocity; Change of Ownership; Conformity With United States Regulations; Records; Renewal of Certificate; Transfer of Interest, Abandonment, etc.; Chan...

§20-7-12a. Payment of Personal Property Taxes Prerequisite to Application for Certificate or Renewal of Number; Duties of Assessors; Schedule of Motorboat Values

§20-7-12b. Boating Safety Education Certificate

§20-7-13. Motorboat Classification; Required Lights and Equipment; Rules and Regulations; Pilot Rules

§20-7-14. Motorboats Exempt From Numbering

§20-7-15. Dealers' and Manufacturers' Certificate of Number; Applications and Fees

§20-7-16. Boat Liveries

§20-7-17. Motorboat Muffling

§20-7-18. Care in Handling Watercraft; Duty to Render Aid After a Collision, Accident, or Casualty; Accident Reports

§20-7-18a. Negligent Homicide; Penalties

§20-7-18b. Operating Under Influence of Alcohol, Controlled Substances or Drugs; Penalties

§20-7-18c. Implied Consent to Test; Administration at Direction of Law-Enforcement Officer

§20-7-18d. Operation of Personal Watercrafts

§20-7-19. Water Skiing and Surfboarding

§20-7-19a. Towing Water Skiers and Towables

§20-7-20. Regattas, Races and Exhibitions; Applications and Permits

§20-7-20a. Personal Watercraft Operation and Towing Exemptions

§20-7-21. Responsibility of Owner, etc., for Incapable Operators of Motorboats

§20-7-22. General Rules and Regulations for Motorboating; Special Rules

§20-7-22a. Agency Rule Making for Personal Watercrafts

§20-7-23. Local Rules