The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as that person can do so without serious danger to that person’s own vessel, crew, and passengers, shall render to other persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty such assistance as may be practicable and necessary to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty. That person shall also give that person’s name, address, and vessel identification in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty. If a collision, accident, or other casualty involving a vessel results in death or injury to a person or damage to property in excess of an amount specified by the director by rule, or a person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury, the operator of the vessel shall file with the department a full description of the collision, accident, or other casualty, including such information as the director may require by rule.

Any operator of a vessel, or other person who complies with this section or who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel collision, accident, or other casualty without objection of any person assisted may not be held liable for any civil damages as a result of the rendering of assistance or for any act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment, or other assistance where the assisting person acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.