Operating so as to endanger, resulting in personal injury.

(a) When the serious bodily injury of any person ensues as a proximate result of the operation of any vessel in reckless disregard of the safety of others, the person so operating such vessel shall be guilty of €œoperating so as to endanger, resulting in personal injury.€ (b) €œSerious bodily injury€ means physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. (c) Any person charged with a violation of this section shall upon conviction be imprisoned for not more than five (5) years and shall be required to take a boating safety course.