{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-739.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-739.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-739.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-739.html"}],"law_id":85727,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85727,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-739","catch_line":"Duty of operator involved in collision, accident or other casualty; immunity from liability; report of collision, etc.; summons in lieu of arrest","history":"1960, c. 500, \u00a7 62-174.11; 1962, c. 626; 1968, c. 659, \u00a7 62.1-177; 1972, c. 412; 1973, c. 381; 1987, c. 488; 1991, c. 336; 2007, c. 87.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be the duty of the operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers (if any), to render persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty, and also give his name, address, and identification of his vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty. Any person who complies with this subsection or who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel collision, accident, or other casualty without objection of any person assisted, shall not be held liable for any civil damages as a result of the rendering of assistance or for any act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment or other assistance where the assisting person acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.B\n\nIn case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a vessel, the operator of the vessel, if the collision, accident, or other casualty is of such a nature as to be reportable pursuant to regulations adopted by the Board, shall notify within a reasonable time a law-enforcement officer of the Commonwealth, conservation police officer, or Marine Resources Commission inspector.\n\t\t\tThe operator shall file with the Department a full report of the collision, accident, or other casualty, as the regulations of the Board may require. The report shall be without prejudice, shall be for the information of the Department only, and shall not be open to public inspection. The fact that such a report has been made shall be admissible in evidence solely to show compliance with this section and applicable regulations, but no such report nor any statement contained in the report shall be admissible as evidence for any other purpose in any trial.C\n\nAny officer investigating any collision, accident or other casualty shall have authority, in lieu of arresting any person charged with violating any of the provisions of this chapter, to issue a written summons to the person (stating name, address, boat number, offense charged, etc.) to appear in court as in § 46.2-936.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":307032,"text":"It shall be the duty of the operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers (if any), to render persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty, and also give his name, address, and identification of his vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty. Any person who complies with this subsection or who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel collision, accident, or other casualty without objection of any person assisted, shall not be held liable for any civil damages as a result of the rendering of assistance or for any act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment or other assistance where the assisting person acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":307033,"text":"In case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a vessel, the operator of the vessel, if the collision, accident, or other casualty is of such a nature as to be reportable pursuant to regulations adopted by the Board, shall notify within a reasonable time a law-enforcement officer of the Commonwealth, conservation police officer, or Marine Resources Commission inspector.\n\t\t\tThe operator shall file with the Department a full report of the collision, accident, or other casualty, as the regulations of the Board may require. The report shall be without prejudice, shall be for the information of the Department only, and shall not be open to public inspection. The fact that such a report has been made shall be admissible in evidence solely to show compliance with this section and applicable regulations, but no such report nor any statement contained in the report shall be admissible as evidence for any other purpose in any trial.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":307034,"text":"Any officer investigating any collision, accident or other casualty shall have authority, in lieu of arresting any person charged with violating any of the provisions of this chapter, to issue a written summons to the person (stating name, address, boat number, offense charged, etc.) to appear in court as in § 46.2-936.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13558,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boating Safety","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13227,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:14","permalink":{"id":193641,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13558,"identifier":"3","token":"29.1\/7\/3","url":"\/29.1\/7\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13227,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boating Laws","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12934,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","permalink":{"id":193453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13227,"identifier":"7","token":"29.1\/7","url":"\/29.1\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12934,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating","identifier":"29.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":192277,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12934,"identifier":"29.1","token":"29.1","url":"\/29.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55333,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-734","catch_line":"Authorization for and placing of markers in waters of the Commonwealth used for public swimming areas; no motorboating, waterskiing in marked area","url":"\/29.1-734\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-734","metadata":false},{"id":73163,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-734.1","catch_line":"Skin and scuba divers","url":"\/29.1-734.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-734.1","metadata":false},{"id":81705,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735","catch_line":"Regulations for vessel operation and equipment","url":"\/29.1-735\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735","metadata":false},{"id":68939,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.1","catch_line":"Board authorized to promulgate regulations for seaplanes","url":"\/29.1-735.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.1","metadata":false},{"id":86125,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.2","catch_line":"Boating safety education required; Board to promulgate regulations","url":"\/29.1-735.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.2","metadata":false},{"id":68371,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.3","catch_line":"Regulation of parasail operators","url":"\/29.1-735.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.3","metadata":false},{"id":79496,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-736","catch_line":"Boat rentals; equipment; safety course","url":"\/29.1-736\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-736","metadata":false},{"id":82900,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-737","catch_line":"Muffling devices","url":"\/29.1-737\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-737","metadata":false},{"id":87020,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738","catch_line":"Operating boat or manipulating water skis, etc., in reckless manner or while intoxicated, etc","url":"\/29.1-738\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738","metadata":false},{"id":62377,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.01","catch_line":"Operating boat in an improper manner; penalty","url":"\/29.1-738.01\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.01","metadata":false},{"id":60518,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.02","catch_line":"Persons under age twenty-one operating watercraft after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty","url":"\/29.1-738.02\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.02","metadata":false},{"id":58643,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.03","catch_line":"Reckless operation of a personal watercraft","url":"\/29.1-738.03\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.03","metadata":false},{"id":59608,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.1","catch_line":"Analysis of breath to determine alcohol content of blood","url":"\/29.1-738.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.1","metadata":false},{"id":60579,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.2","catch_line":"Consent to blood or breath test","url":"\/29.1-738.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.2","metadata":false},{"id":82349,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.3","catch_line":"Presumptions from alcohol or drug content","url":"\/29.1-738.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.3","metadata":false},{"id":87092,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.4","catch_line":"Additional penalty for reckless or intoxicated operation of a watercraft or motorboat","url":"\/29.1-738.4\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.4","metadata":false},{"id":66297,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.5","catch_line":"Participation in rehabilitation program","url":"\/29.1-738.5\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.5","metadata":false},{"id":87081,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.6","catch_line":"When arrested person operating a vessel; how vessel removed from scene of arrest","url":"\/29.1-738.6\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.6","metadata":false},{"id":85727,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-739","catch_line":"Duty of operator involved in collision, accident or other casualty; immunity from liability; report of collision, etc.; summons in lieu of arrest","url":"\/29.1-739\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739","metadata":false},{"id":54521,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-739.1","catch_line":"Disregarding signal by law-enforcement officer to stop; attempts to elude; penalty","url":"\/29.1-739.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739.1","metadata":false},{"id":83534,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-739.2","catch_line":"Conservation police officers to patrol lakes","url":"\/29.1-739.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739.2","metadata":false},{"id":78906,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-740","catch_line":"Duty to stop and render assistance; penalties for violations","url":"\/29.1-740\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-740","metadata":false},{"id":73273,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-741","catch_line":"Furnishing information to agency of United States","url":"\/29.1-741\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-741","metadata":false},{"id":63883,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-742","catch_line":"Towing water skis, surfboards, etc","url":"\/29.1-742\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-742","metadata":false},{"id":76164,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-743","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/29.1-743\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-743","metadata":false},{"id":60382,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744","catch_line":"Local regulation; application for placement or removal of \"no wake\" buoys, etc","url":"\/29.1-744\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744","metadata":false},{"id":84734,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/29.1-744.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744.1","metadata":false},{"id":56497,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/29.1-744.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744.2","metadata":false},{"id":58749,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744.3","catch_line":"Slacken speed and control wakes near structures","url":"\/29.1-744.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744.3","metadata":false},{"id":59480,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744.4","catch_line":"\"Pass-through\" zones; local ordinances; penalties","url":"\/29.1-744.4\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744.4","metadata":false},{"id":65520,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-745","catch_line":"Enforcement of chapter; vessels displaying Coast Guard inspection decal","url":"\/29.1-745\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-745","metadata":false},{"id":76264,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-746","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/29.1-746\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-746","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":87081,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.6","catch_line":"When arrested person operating a vessel; how vessel removed from scene of arrest","url":"\/29.1-738.6\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.6","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":54521,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-739.1","catch_line":"Disregarding signal by law-enforcement officer to stop; attempts to elude; penalty","url":"\/29.1-739.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-739\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1960. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 500 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1960 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1962, chapter 626; in 1968, chapter 659; in 1972, chapter 412; in 1973, chapter 381; in 1987, chapter 488; in 1991, chapter 336; in 2007, chapter 87<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78906,"section_number":"29.1-740","catch_line":"Duty to stop and render assistance; penalties for violations","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-740\/"},{"id":73273,"section_number":"29.1-741","catch_line":"Furnishing information to agency of United States","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-741\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":81229,"section_number":"46.2-936","catch_line":"Arrest for misdemeanor; release on summons; right to demand hearing immediately or within 24 hours; issuance of warrant on request of officer for violations of \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-301 and 46.2-302; violations","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-936\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193715,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85727,"identifier":"29.1-739","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739","url":"\/29.1-739\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-739\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duty of operator involved in collision, accident or other casualty; immunity from liability; report of collision, etc.; summons in lieu of arrest","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-739","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be the duty of the operator of a vessel<\/span> involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel<\/span>, crew, and passengers (if any), to render persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order<\/span> to minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty, and also give his name, address, and identification of his vessel<\/span> in writing to any person injured and to the owner<\/span> of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty. Any person who complies with this subsection or who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel<\/span> collision, accident, or other casualty without objection of any person assisted, shall not be held liable for any civil damages<\/span> as a result of the rendering of assistance or for any act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment or other assistance where the assisting person acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a vessel<\/span>, the operator of the vessel<\/span>, if the collision, accident, or other casualty is of such a nature as to be reportable pursuant to regulations<\/span> adopted by the Board<\/span>, shall notify within a reasonable time a law<\/span>-enforcement officer of the Commonwealth, conservation police officer, or Marine Resources Commission inspector.\n\t\t\tThe operator shall file with the Department<\/span> a full report of the collision, accident, or other casualty, as the regulations<\/span> of the Board<\/span> may require. The report shall be without prejudice, shall be for the information of the Department<\/span> only, and shall not be open to public inspection. The fact<\/span> that such a report has been made shall be admissible<\/span> in evidence<\/span> solely to show compliance with this section and applicable regulations<\/span>, but no such report nor any statement contained in the report shall be admissible<\/span> as evidence<\/span> for any other purpose in any trial<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any officer investigating any collision, accident or other casualty shall have authority, in lieu of arresting any person charged with violating any of the provisions of this chapter, to issue<\/span> a written summons<\/span> to the person (stating name, address, boat number, offense<\/span> charged, etc.) to appear in court<\/span> as in § 46.2-936<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTY OF OPERATOR INVOLVED IN COLLISION, ACCIDENT OR OTHER CASUALTY; IMMUNITY\nFROM LIABILITY; REPORT OF COLLISION, ETC.; SUMMONS IN LIEU OF ARREST (\u00a7\n29.1-739)\n\nA. It shall be the duty of the operator of a vessel involved in a collision,\naccident, or other casualty, so far as he can do so without serious danger to\nhis own vessel, crew, and passengers (if any), to render persons affected by the\ncollision, accident, or other casualty such assistance as may be practicable and\nas may be necessary in order to minimize any danger caused by the collision,\naccident, or other casualty, and also give his name, address, and identification\nof his vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property\ndamaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty. Any person who complies\nwith this subsection or who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at\nthe scene of a vessel collision, accident, or other casualty without objection\nof any person assisted, shall not be held liable for any civil damages as a\nresult of the rendering of assistance or for any act or omission in providing or\narranging salvage, towage, medical treatment or other assistance where the\nassisting person acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would have acted\nunder the same or similar circumstances.\n\nB. In case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a vessel, the\noperator of the vessel, if the collision, accident, or other casualty is of such\na nature as to be reportable pursuant to regulations adopted by the Board, shall\nnotify within a reasonable time a law-enforcement officer of the Commonwealth,\nconservation police officer, or Marine Resources Commission inspector.\n\t\t\tThe operator shall file with the Department a full report of the collision,\naccident, or other casualty, as the regulations of the Board may require. The\nreport shall be without prejudice, shall be for the information of the\nDepartment only, and shall not be open to public inspection. The fact that such\na report has been made shall be admissible in evidence solely to show compliance\nwith this section and applicable regulations, but no such report nor any\nstatement contained in the report shall be admissible as evidence for any other\npurpose in any trial.\n\nC. Any officer investigating any collision, accident or other casualty shall\nhave authority, in lieu of arresting any person charged with violating any of\nthe provisions of this chapter, to issue a written summons to the person\n(stating name, address, boat number, offense charged, etc.) to appear in court\nas in § 46.2-936.\n\nHISTORY: 1960, c. 500, \u00a7 62-174.11; 1962, c. 626; 1968, c. 659, \u00a7 62.1-177;\n1972, c. 412; 1973, c. 381; 1987, c. 488; 1991, c. 336; 2007, c. 87.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}