
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 8, 1990                   TAG: 9004090030
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B15   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BOAT ACCIDENTS MUST BE REPORTED

Many boat operators are failing to file a report when they are involved in an accident, and that has Jack Cox concerned.

Cox, who is the boating safety coordinator for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, says such reports are required by law.

"It could be ignorance of the law, an outright unwillingness to conform to the law or simple procrastination," said Cox.

A report must be submitted to the game department within 10 days when an accident involves property damage in excess of $200 or when the boat is a total loss.

Boat accidents must be reported within 24 hours when they involve a death or when a disappearance indicates death or injury or when injuries require medical treatment beyond normal first aid.

Accident report forms are available from game wardens or from most marine dealers, Cox said.

by CNB