(a) The Kansas department of wildlife and parks shall purchase vessel liability insurance for the protection and benefit of the state, the department and officers, agents and employees of the department responsible for the operation of vessels owned, operated, maintained or controlled by the department, and of persons while riding in or upon such vessels.
(b) As used in this section, the term "vessel" includes motorized and nonmotorized vessels and other methods of aquatic transportation used by the department.