What to do if your boat collides with another boat

Boat collisions can happen to even the most experienced boat owners when sailing, racing, or manoeuvring. Knowing what to do if your boat collides with another vessel can help you keep everyone safe, gather the information needed to report the incident and understand the next steps if you need to make an insurance claim.

In this guide, we’ll explain what to do, who to contact, and what evidence to collect after a collision.

How common are boat collisions?

Boat collisions are perhaps more common than you think. Between July 2025 and June 2026, over a third (36%) of claims made by Craftinsure customers involved collisions with other boats or fixed objects.

Of those total collisions, 57% involved colliding with another vessel. And one in four (24%) of those boat-to-boat collisions happened during a race.

Collisions aren’t just limited to high-speed incidents and can happen on busy waterways, during routine manoeuvres, and when boats are stationary. Close to one in five of our collision claims (16%) occurred during mooring or while moored.

These statistics show not only how common collisions are but also that they can happen to all types of boaters at any time. Insuring your vessel with boat insurance can provide peace of mind and financially protect you if you collide with another boat or someone collides with you.

What to do if your boat collides with another boat: A guide

If your boat collides with another boat, it’s important to follow these seven steps:

1. Check that everyone’s safe

Check your passengers and crew for injuries, make sure everyone’s on board, and find out whether anyone on the other vessel needs help. Avoid putting yourself at risk by attempting a rescue that you’re not 100% confident carrying out.

2. Assess damage and check for flooding

Check for hull damage, flooding, steering problems, damaged rigging, and other hazards. Put on lifejackets if appropriate, use available safety equipment, and take steps to control flooding if it’s safe to do so. Be sure to keep clear of damaged or unstable equipment.

3. Make the situation safe

Assess whether you’re able to safely move away from other vessels, hazards, and busy waterways. Avoid moving a damaged boat if doing so could worsen the situation. Follow instructions from the Coastguard or other emergency services where relevant.

4. Call for help if necessary

If there are any injuries, someone has fallen overboard, or your boat is taking on water, assess the situation immediately and call for help if required. A collision that leaves your vessel sinking, seriously damaged, or in danger of drifting into hazards may require urgent assistance from HM Coastguard.

If you’re at sea and have a marine VHF radio, use Channel 16 to contact the Coastguard. If there is grave and imminent danger to life or your vessel, make a Mayday distress call. For a serious situation that requires urgent assistance but doesn’t involve immediate danger to life, use a Pan-Pan urgency call. If you cannot use a VHF radio, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

You must provide your vessel’s name and location, details of what’s happened, the number of people on board, and any required assistance. Follow the Coastguard’s instructions and don’t delay in calling for help if the situation gets worse.

5. Exchange details with the other boat owner

Once everyone’s safe, exchange names, contact details, vessel names, insurance information, and put together a factual account of what happened. Stay polite and cooperative without arguing about fault or admitting liability.

6. Document the incident

Take photographs, record the time and location, note the weather and water conditions, and collect witness details. It’s important to make a written record while the events are fresh in your mind.

7. Report the collision to your insurer

Contact your boat insurer using the relevant claims process. Explain what happened, provide the evidence you’ve collected, and follow the insurer’s instructions before authorising repairs or accepting liability.

Who should you contact after a boat collision?

Who to contact after a boat collision depends on whether you need emergency assistance or simply want to report the incident.

• HM Coastguard: Contact HM Coastguard when there’s danger to life, a vessel in distress, or urgent maritime assistance is required
• Emergency services: Call 999 when immediate assistance is needed and ask for the Coastguard in a maritime emergency
• Your insurer: Report the boat collision to your insurer as soon as possible and be sure to follow your policy’s claims instructions
• Relevant authorities: Certain incidents may need to be reported to the appropriate harbour authority, navigation authority, police, or marine accident investigation body, depending on the circumstances

Who you should report the collision to depends on where it happened, how severe the incident is, and the type of vessel involved.

What evidence should you collect for your boat insurance claim?

Clear evidence can help your boat insurer to understand what happened during the collision and assess the damage.

You should try to collect:

• Photographs of damage to both vessels if it’s safe to do so
• Wide-angle images showing the scene and the vessels’ positions
• The date, time, and location plus weather and water conditions where applicable
• Names and contact details of the other boat owner and any witnesses
• Vessel registration or identification details where applicable
• A factual written account of events, including any manoeuvres made immediately before impact
• Relevant reports, repair estimates, and any reference numbers issued by authorities

Don’t put yourself in danger trying to collect evidence and don’t repair damage unnecessarily before discussing it with your insurer unless you need to do this to protect people or property.

How is fault determined after a boat collision?

After a boat collision, responsibility isn’t simply assigned to the boat that sustains the most damage or the vessel that makes contact first.

It will depend on the specifics of the incident. When establishing fault, the following may all be considered:

• The vessels’ movements
• Lookout
• Speed
• Visibility
• Applicable collision regulations
• Right-of-way obligations
• Whether either boat owner took reasonable action to avoid the incident

Evidence from witnesses, photographs, vessel logs, and relevant reports could also be considered.

Responsibility can be shared following a boat collision, and insurers will assess claims in line with the available evidence, relevant law, and policy terms. It’s important to avoid making assumptions about fault or agreeing to settlements before speaking to your insurer.

What if you collide with a moored boat?

If you collide with a moored boat and the owner isn’t around, you should check for damage, take photographs, note the location, and, if possible, identify the vessel.

Let the marina, harbourmaster, or relevant authority know, and try to contact the boat owner. If you’re unable to find or contact them, leave your contact details somewhere safe and follow any instructions from the relevant authority.

Never leave the scene without taking reasonable steps to report the incident, as this can cause complications.

How can you reduce the risk of another boat collision?

The following steps can help you reduce the risk of a collision:

• Maintain a proper lookout and keep a safe speed
• Understand the collision regulations relevant to your vessel and waterway
• Allow plenty of space when overtaking, crossing, or manoeuvring
• Take extra care in marinas and when approaching moorings
• Check visibility, weather, tides, and local traffic conditions
• During races, remain alert to other competitors and changing situations
• Ensure crew members understand their roles and safety procedures

Specialist boat insurance by Craftinsure

Even if you take every step to avoid a collision at sea, accidents can still happen. That’s why you may want to financially protect your investment with specialist insurance. Find out more about specialist boat insurance by Craftinsure or get an online quote today.

Boat collision FAQs

What should I check immediately after a boat collision?

Check everyone on board for injuries, assess whether anyone needs rescuing, and look for damage, flooding, steering problems, and other hazards. Make the situation safe, call for assistance if necessary, and avoid moving a damaged vessel unless absolutely necessary.

When should I call the Coastguard, and should I use Mayday or Pan-Pan?

Call the Coastguard if there’s danger to life, a vessel is in distress, or urgent maritime assistance is required. A Mayday call is for grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance, while Pan-Pan is for an urgent situation that isn’t immediately life-threatening.

What details should I exchange with the other boat owner?

Exchange names, contact details, vessel names, identification details, relevant insurance information, and a factual description of the incident. Collect witness details where possible and avoid arguing about fault or accepting liability at the scene.

What photographs and evidence should I collect?

Photograph damage to both vessels, the surrounding scene and the vessels’ positions if it’s safe to do so. Record the date, time, location, weather conditions, witness details and a written account of events.

Your insurer may also ask for supporting documents when reviewing your claim, such as proof of ownership, photographs of the boat before the incident, repair estimates and any relevant incident reports.

If you are insured through Craftinsure and own a boat over 20 years old and more than 25ft in length, the claims handlers may also require a survey report from a qualified surveyor, dated within the past five years, with evidence that all recommendations have been followed. If your boat is already insured through Craftinsure, a survey carried out within the past seven years may be accepted, in line with your policy terms.

Who do I need to report the collision to?

Report the boat collision to your insurer and contact the Coastguard if urgent maritime assistance is required. Depending on the incident, you may also have to notify a harbour authority, navigation authority, or another relevant body. Requirements vary according to the circumstances and location.

What if I hit a moored boat and its owner isn’t there?

Check for damage, take photographs, and record the location and vessel details. Try to contact the owner, notify the marina or harbour authority where appropriate and follow their instructions. Don’t leave without taking reasonable steps to report the incident and leave your details somewhere secure if the owner can’t be found or contacted.