Who is responsible for injuries or damage caused by someone operating your vessel?

The owner of the vessel is responsible for injuries or damage caused by someone operating their vessel because ownership entails a legal obligation to ensure that the vessel is safe and that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations. When someone operates your boat, you as the owner can be held liable for any incidents that occur, whether they involve injury to individuals, damage to other property, or violations of boating regulations.

In many jurisdictions, including Tennessee, this principle follows the concept of "vicarious liability," which holds the owner accountable for the actions of individuals they allow to operate their property. Therefore, even if the operator is negligent or reckless, the owner can still be held financially accountable for the consequences of those actions.

Other options, while they may involve certain responsibilities in specific contexts, do not encompass the broader legal liability that vessel ownership carries. For example, the operator is typically responsible for their own actions at the moment of operation, and local law enforcement serves to enforce boating laws rather than bearing liability for incidents. Similarly, a person renting a vessel typically enters into an agreement that outlines liability, but the owner's obligations remain unaffected regarding overall vessel operation.