N.Y. Navigation Law Section 47
Leaving the scene of an accident without reporting

1.

(a) Whenever any vessel, including, but not limited to, rowboats, canoes and kayaks, meets with an accident involving damage to any vessel or to the real property or to the personal property, not including animals, of another due to an accident involving such vessel and the operator thereof has knowledge of such accident, such operator shall, before leaving the place where the damage occurred, stop and give his or her name and address, the name and address of the owner thereof and the identification number, if any, assigned to such vessel to the person sustaining the damage. In the event the person sustaining the damage cannot be located at the place where the damage occurred, then the operator of such vessel shall report the same as soon as physically able to the nearest police officer, police station, bay constable or judicial officer.

(b)

A violation of the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall constitute a violation punishable as set forth in § 73-C (Violations)section seventy-three-c of this article.

2.

(a) Every operator of a vessel, including, but not limited to, rowboats, canoes and kayaks, who, knowing or having cause to know that personal injury has been caused to another person, or another person has disappeared under the water, due to an accident involving such vessel shall, before leaving the place where the said incident involving personal injury occurred, stop, give such operator’s name and address, the name and address of the owner of such vessel and the identification number, if any, assigned to such vessel to the injured party, if practical, and shall report said accident as soon as physically able to the nearest police officer, police station, bay constable or judicial officer.

(b)

The first violation of the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision involving personal injury to another person resulting solely from the failure of a vessel operator to provide the name and address of the vessel owner and/or the identification number of the vessel shall constitute a class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty nor more than five hundred dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law. Any subsequent such violation after a conviction for such violation within the preceding five years shall constitute a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law. Any violation of the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, other than the mere failure of a vessel operator to provide the name and address of the vessel owner and/or the identification number of the vessel, shall constitute a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law. Any such violation committed by a person after such person has previously been convicted of such a violation shall constitute a class E felony, punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars in addition to any other penalties provided by law. Any violation of the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, other than the mere failure of a vessel operator to provide the name and address of the vessel owner and/or the identification number of the vessel where the personal injury involved (i) results in serious physical injury, as defined in section 10.00 of the penal law, or where a person has disappeared under the water as the result of the incident shall constitute a class E felony or (ii) results in death shall constitute a class D felony.

3.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to commercial vessels having a valid marine document issued by the United States or a foreign government.

Source: Section 47 — Leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/NAV/47 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Dec. 21, 2024).

40
Equipment 40‑A
Manufacture and sale of outboard motors 40‑B
Sale and use of tributyltin paint 41
Pilot rules 42
Searchlights 42‑A
Tow-chains 43
Lights to be displayed 43‑A
Use of digital billboards 44
Noise levels on pleasure vessels 45
Reckless operation of a vessel 45‑A
Beaching a disabled water craft 45‑AA
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on Canandaigua lake 45‑AAA
Special provisions relating to speed on Irondequoit bay 45‑AAAA
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on Greenwood Lake 45‑AAAA*2
Special provisions relating to speed on Sodus Bay 45‑AAAAA
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on Lake Alice 45‑AAAAAA
Special provisions relating to noise and speed on Lamoka Lake and Waneta Lake 45‑AAAAAA*2
Special provisions relating to reckless operation, noise and speed on the Fulton Chain of Lakes 45‑B
Regulation of beaches 45‑C
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on Conesus lake 45‑CC
Reckless operation and speed on the canal system 45‑D
Special provisions relating to speed at Crooke’s Point in Great Kills Harbor 46
Vessel regulation zone 46‑A
Regulations of vessels 46‑AA
Special provisions relating to speed on lakes in Chautauqua county 46‑AAA
Special provisions relating to reckless operation and speed on certain lakes in Hamilton county 46‑AAAA
Special provisions relating to speed on Cuba lake 46‑B
Special provisions relating to speed on Saratoga lake 47
Leaving the scene of an accident without reporting 47‑A
Accidents 47‑B
Report to the commissioner required upon accident 48
Negligence in use or operation of vessel attributable to owner 49
Operator 49‑A
Operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 49‑B
Operating a vessel after having consumed alcohol 49‑C
Termination of unsafe operation 49‑D
Application
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Accessed:
Dec. 21, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 47’s source at nysenate​.gov

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