Boating and Lake Injuries: Lake Elsinore and Lake Perris

Boating under the influence and reckless boating

No one may operate a boat, or ride water skis or a similar device, recklessly or negligently in a way that endangers others, or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; for recreational boats the blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent (Harb. & Nav. Code § 655). An operator involved in an accident must give practicable help to others affected (Harb. & Nav. Code § 656). A boat towing a skier or tuber must carry an observer at least 12 years old besides the operator (Harb. & Nav. Code § 658).

The California Boater Card

Since January 1, 2025, everyone operating an engine-powered boat on California waters must carry a vessel operator card, the California Boater Card (Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11). The law has exceptions, including people operating a rental vessel and some out-of-state and foreign visitors using California waters for a short time. Whether an operator had a card, or was exempt, can come up when fault is disputed.

Cost	The card costs $10 and lasts a lifetime; apply at CaliforniaBoaterCard.com after passing an approved boating safety course. [source]
Exemptions	People operating a rental vessel and holders of a valid U.S. Coast Guard marine operator's license do not need the card. [source]
Penalty	Operating without a required card is an infraction; base fines range from $100 to $500. [source]

Reporting a boating accident

When to report	The owner or operator must report a boat accident to the Division of Boating and Waterways if it causes death, disappearance, injury needing more than first aid, over $500 of damage, or the complete loss of a vessel. [source]
Deadline	Within 48 hours for a death within 24 hours of the accident, a disappearance, or an injury beyond first aid; within 10 days for other reportable accidents. [source]
How to file	Boaters complete a Boating Accident Report (Form BAR) and mail it to: California Division of Boating and Waterways, Attn: Boating Accident Unit, PO Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001. Keep a copy. [source]
Penalty	Failing to file a required report is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. [source]
Use of the report	The Division says information in the reports is confidential and may not be used in civil litigation. [source]

Because the state report is confidential and cannot be used as evidence of negligence (Harb. & Nav. Code § 656), your own evidence matters more: photos, the boat's registration number, the operator's name, witness contacts and any law enforcement report. The same statute requires the state to give the names and addresses of those involved and witnesses, vessel numbers, and the date, time and place of the accident to anyone injured.

Lake Elsinore rules

The City of Lake Elsinore publishes these rules for boaters on the lake:

Hours	Lake boating hours are sunrise to sunset. [source]
Life jackets	Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket (PFD) at all times when boating; personal watercraft operators and passengers must always wear one. [source]
Lake pass	Boaters must keep a valid Lake Use Pass on the vessel, and motorized vessels must launch from authorized ramps. [source]
Speed and direction	35 MPH maximum in the High Speed Zone on weekends and holidays from May 1 to September 30; boats travel counter-clockwise outside the Slow/No Wake Zone. [source]
Distance	Personal watercraft must keep at least 25 feet from other vessels; skiing within 100 feet of other vessels, skiers or hazards is prohibited. [source]
Lake patrol	The Sheriff's Lake Patrol monitors marine VHF channel 68. [source]

Lake Elsinore contracts with the Riverside County Sheriff for police services:

Office	Address	Phone	Area covered
Riverside County Sheriff - Lake Elsinore Station	333 Limited Avenue, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530	951-245-3300	Lake Elsinore and Wildomar, plus nearby unincorporated areas [source]

Lake Perris State Recreation Area

Location	About 11 miles south of Riverside via Highway 60 or I-215. [source]
Phone	(951) 940-5600 [source]
Hours	Watercraft without running lights must be off the water by sunset year-round. [source]

Lake Perris is a state park. If a dangerous condition of state property was involved, a claim against the State is generally due within six months; see our State of California claims page.

Swimmers, passengers and people being towed

Most lake injuries to swimmers, passengers and skiers come down to the operator's care: speed near people, keeping a lookout, a spotter while towing, and alcohol. If the boat's owner let someone else operate it, or a rental business handed a boat to an unfit operator, their own conduct may also matter under California's general duty of care (Civil Code § 1714). If city property such as a ramp or dock was part of the cause, a city claim may be required; the City of Lake Elsinore publishes this claim form:

Form	Get a claim form at the City Clerk's Office at city hall, or download it. [source]
Form link	Claim For Damages Form (PDF), a scanned document read visually. URL: official link [source]

Deadlines

Most injury lawsuits in California must be filed within two years (CCP § 335.1). If a city, the County, the State or another public agency may share responsibility, a written claim is generally due within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2); our claims guide lists where to file.

Every fact on this page links to the official source it came from. We checked each one in September 2026. Agencies change fees and procedures, so confirm with the agency before you go. How we research.

Common questions

Is it illegal to drive a boat drunk in California?

Yes. Operating a boat under the influence, or a recreational boat with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, is prohibited (Harb. & Nav. Code § 655).

Do I need a California Boater Card to rent a boat at Lake Elsinore?

People operating a rental vessel are exempt from the card requirement (Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11). Lake Elsinore's own rules still apply.

When must a boating accident be reported?

Within 48 hours for a death within 24 hours, a disappearance or an injury beyond first aid, and within 10 days for other reportable accidents, to the Division of Boating and Waterways on Form BAR.

Can I get the state boating accident report for my claim?

The report itself is confidential, but the state must disclose names, addresses, vessel numbers and the date, time and place of the accident to anyone injured (Harb. & Nav. Code § 656).

Lake and boating injuries in Riverside County