After a charter incident in Panama, make people safe first. Then record the facts the same day: time, GPS position, photos and video, names and contacts, and the boat's papers and captain's licence. Report it to the AMP, notify the insurer, and keep the originals of the passenger manifest, briefing record and booking.
Safety first, then the record
Evidence never comes before people. If anyone is hurt, in the water or in danger, call 911 and VHF 16 and deal with that first. See who to call. Once everyone is safe, start recording, even if the trip is still under way. The first hour gives you the best evidence, and much of it disappears quickly: weather, positions, damage before repair, and witnesses who leave.
What to record
| Evidence | How to capture it |
|---|---|
| Time and position | Screenshot the chartplotter or phone GPS. Save the track. |
| The scene | Photos and video of the boat, the damage, the other vessel, the dock or reef, and the sea state. Wide shots first, then close-ups. |
| People | Names, phone numbers and nationality of everyone aboard, and of witnesses on other boats or the dock. |
| The boat | Name, registration or patente, and the AMP safety certificate. Photograph the documents. |
| The captain and crew | Names and AMP licence types, for example patrón de nave de placer or capitán de yate. |
| The operator | Company name, ATP tourism registration, and the insurer. |
| The trip | The SENAN passenger manifest, the safety briefing record and the booking confirmation. |
| Conditions | Wind, sea, rain, visibility, tide state, and any SINAPROC alert or AMP restriction that day. |
| Communications | Times of radio calls and phone calls, and who answered. |
The incident report template puts all of this on one form.
Keeping the evidence usable
- Keep originals. Don't edit, crop or filter photos. Phones store the time and location in the file. Send copies, keep the originals.
- Back up the same day to cloud storage or email yourself.
- Write a short account in plain facts, in order, signed and dated. Ask each witness for their own, separately.
- Don't repair yet. Photograph damage before anything is fixed, unless the boat is unsafe. Then photograph each step of the repair.
- Radio recordings. In canal waters, the ACP records traffic on VHF 12, 13 and 16 at its signal stations. Note the times so they can be requested if needed.
- Privacy. Guest details and medical information are personal data. Share them only with the authorities, insurers and lawyers who need them.
Common charter incidents and what matters for each
- Guest injury aboard (a fall, a cut, a burn). Record where it happened, the deck condition, footwear, first aid given and the time. Note whether it was rough or the boat was moving.
- Swimming or snorkelling incident. Record the briefing given, the head count, the current and tide state, whether lifejackets or floats were offered, and who was watching.
- Collision or grounding. Record the position, heading and speed from the plotter track, the other vessel's details, and the chart in use.
- Overloading or a passenger dispute. The manifest and the boat's certified passenger limit are the key documents. Photograph the certificate. See charter passenger limits.
- Weather turnaround or cancellation. Screenshot the forecast and any SINAPROC alert or AMP departure restriction, and note the time the captain decided.
- Lost or damaged property. Photograph it and note who had it last. Ask whether the operator's policy covers guests' belongings.
In each case the question later will be the same: what was known, and what was done, at what time. Timestamped records answer it.
Who to report it to
- AMP. Report accidents to its Segumar line or the 24/7 call centre. The AMP investigates through its maritime investigation department; see reporting a boating accident.
- SENAN and the police if anyone is hurt, missing or there was a crime.
- The insurer on the same day. Charter operators must carry civil liability cover, and the policy will set notice terms. See charter insurance and liability.
- The operator, if you are a guest. Ask for their incident report and insurer details in writing.
If you are the guest
Guests have the right to clear facts. Ask the captain for the boat's name, the operator's name and their insurer, and photograph the boat's documents if you can. Note whether a briefing was given and lifejackets were offered. If you booked a boat that turns out to be unlicensed, that matters for your claim and for the authorities; see illegal charters and enforcement. For a dispute over payment or refunds, keep the booking and payment records. Panama's consumer protection authority deals with consumer complaints.
If you are the operator
Your records are your defence. Keep the manifest, briefing sign-off, maintenance log, crew licences and the weather check for each trip. Keep them for as long as your insurer and lawyer advise; see customer records and manifests. After an incident, stay factual with guests and don't admit fault in writing before speaking to your insurer. Do offer help and contact details.
Your practical starting checklist
- Make everyone safe and call 911 and VHF 16 if needed.
- Screenshot the GPS position and save the track.
- Photograph the scene, the damage and the boat's documents before any repair.
- Collect names and contacts of everyone aboard and any witnesses.
- Fill in the incident report and back up all files the same day.
- Report to the AMP and notify the insurer, then keep the originals.
Frequently asked questions
What should I record after a charter accident in Panama?
Time, GPS position, photos and video, names and contacts, the boat's documents and the captain's licence, and the weather. Keep the originals and back them up the same day.
Who do I report a charter incident to?
The AMP takes accident reports. Call 911 and SENAN if anyone is hurt or missing. Notify the operator's insurer and keep the reference numbers.
Can I get the radio recordings?
In canal waters the ACP records VHF 12, 13 and 16 at its signal stations. Note the times. Access usually depends on an official request through the investigating authority.
¿Qué debo documentar después de un incidente en un chárter?
Hora, posición GPS, fotos y videos, nombres y contactos de todos, documentos de la embarcación y la licencia del capitán, y las condiciones del tiempo. Reporte a la AMP y guarde los originales.
The next question to answer
One form for the day of the incident. Read Incident report (Panama).
The AMP, SENAN and police. Read Reporting a boating accident.
What operators keep. Read Customer records and manifests.
Same topic in Florida: coming from the US? Compare Preserving Records After a Charter Incident.
Official resources
Use the relevant Panamanian authority for current requirements and fees. These resources are the next place to check; a practical recommendation is not an agency determination.
- AMP: Líneas de emergencia (Segumar accidents, call centre) ↗
- ACP Maritime Operations Manual, Section 6: Communications (recorded channels) ↗
- La Prensa: AMP investigation after Cayo Zapatilla accident under IMO code (secondary, press, Feb 2026) ↗