Boat Accident Search
Free nationwide boating accident history database search lookups.
Must-have for buyers and lenders.
Nationwide boating incidents.
Current and historical records.
Search by hull identification.
Search by state registration number.
Unlimited vessel record searches.
Our boating accident history database contains records of casualties, injuries, vessel damages and property damages. These represent incidents as reported to state enforcement agencies throughout the country which have in turn been registered with the Coast Guard's Boating Accident Report Database. We have converted periodic extracts of such data into a searchable format which is now openly available to our readers.
About the Database
Federal regulations require each state to structure their boating accident reports in accordance with the standards prescribed in 33 CFR Part 173. These must subsequently becine registered with the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Accident Report Database (BARD). Such records dating back to 1969 are made available for the general public as raw data extractions.
Data Inclusions
In keeping with federal regulations, boat accident reports are very detailed and expansive while covering all aspects of a particular incident. Our search lookup service will provide a condensed version of such findings that include vessel specifications, accident dates, case numbers, damages, and the number of injuries or casualties.
Search Criteria
The database can be searched by an official USCG vessel documentation number, hull identification number or state registration number. However, these can not be searched simultaneously and it may be necessary to conduct multiple searches depending on your information at hand. You may also need to implement new searches based on any cross reference discoveries.
Frequency and Accuracy
Extracts from BARD are made available on a yearly basis to interested parties. We have also gathered historical records dating back to 1969. Although reasonably accurate, typographical errors in data reporting are not uncommon and identification numbers may have been misclassified in some cases.
More Detailed Information
More detailed, accurate and current information may be obtained for a particular boat by contacting a Boating Administrator's Office for the state in which an incident has or may have occurred. A nationwide listing of such offices can be found in the Referrals for this page.
Conclusion
The data presented here may provide an indication as to whether a particular watercraft has been involved in a boating incident. However, this is not fully conclusive and you should implement additional research or make a close physical inspection of the subject boat in determining any prior damages.