In Missouri, the State Highway Patrol is responsible for enforcing boating laws and regulations. The law requires boaters to register their vessels just as they would their cars. People under age 14 may not operate a boat, and parental supervision is required for operators under age 16. Anyone born after January 1, 1984, must take an authorized boater safety course and pass a test before operating a vessel on a lake in the state.
The boating accident course covers applicable navigation and safety equipment regulations. Non-compliance with any of these regulations could potentially lead to fines if the vessel is stopped by the marine enforcement authorities. A nearby legal professional representing a person who was injured in a boat accident could determine whether anyone involved in the crash has ever received a citation while operating a vessel.
In the event of an accident on the water, in most cases the vessel operator(s) must file a report with the Missouri State Highway Patrol within five days. However, reports must be filed within 48 hours in the event that the accident causes injury or death.