---
title: O.C.G.A. § 51-1-22. Owner’s liability for negligent operation of vessel; express or implied consent prerequisite.
collection: code
id: 51-1-22
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 51-1-22 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-1-22
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-1-22.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-1-22/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t51-(v39)-2017-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6b891965_0#page=146
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: TORTS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 51-1-22. Owner’s liability for negligent operation of vessel; express or implied consent prerequisite.

The owner of a vessel shall be liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of the vessel, whether the negligence consists of a violation of the statutes of this state or of neglecting to observe such ordinary care in such operation as the rules of common law require. The owner shall not be liable, however, unless the vessel is being used with his or her express or implied consent. It shall be presumed that the vessel is being operated with the knowledge and consent of the owner if, at the time of the injury or damage, the vessel is under the control of his or her spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other immediate member of the owner’s family. Nothing contained in this Code section shall be construed to relieve any other person from any liability which he would otherwise have nor shall anything contained in this Code section be construed to authorize or permit any recovery in excess of injury or damage actually incurred.

## History

Ga. L. 1968, p. 487, § 10; Ga. L. 1973, p. 1427, § 20.

## Cross References

Operation of watercraft generally, T. 52, C. 7.

## Law Reviews

For article, ‘‘Motorboat Collisions and the Family Purpose Doctrine,’’ see 2 Ga. St. B. J. 473 (1966).