Preventing Boating Accidents

Types of Boating Accidents

Summertime is the season for one of the most popular outdoor activities, boating. However, boating accidents are responsible for many serious injuries each year. In fact, more than 8,000 boating accidents occur annually and more than half of those boating accidents result in injuries that are serious. It is important that all boaters take the proper steps to prevent boating accidents. The majority of boating accidents are caused by capsized boats, fires on board, a person tumbling overboard, sunken boats, and boat flooding. Other terrible boating accidents occur when two more boats collide with each other or with other objects. Prevention is the best way to end boating accidents - before they happen.

Causes of Boating Accidents

Unfortunately, some of the worst boating accidents are caused by driver intoxication, failure of boating equipment, failure to keep within a safe speed limit, driver distractions, dangerous waters, and allowing an unsafe number of passengers, and not distributing weight evenly throughout the boat. Following the rules of the water and checking equipment frequently can prevent many boating accidents.

Ways to Prevent Boating Accidents

Boating laws differ from state to state. It is important to clearly understand the boating rules and regulations before you hit the water. In a few states, you can even lose your driver's license if you break the laws of the water while driving your boat. In addition, one of the most dangerous activities that you can partake in is consuming alcohol while driving your boat. For prevention of boating accidents, the driver must be aware of his surroundings and able to act quickly, accurately and efficiently - much like driving a car. Also, it is important that there is adequate safety equipment on board. The equipment must be available for every person and in good working order. Equipment includes life preservers and fire extinguishers. Finally, properly maintaining a fuel system should help prevent a fire on board, and thereby reduce the chance of a boating accident.

Prevent Capsizing

If your boat capsizes or a passenger accidentally falls overboard, it can be a frightening experience. Loading the boat properly can help prevent a boat from capsizing, which can also help keep people from falling overboard due to a unbalanced boat. The boat must be tied to the dock before you begin loading it. Encourage each passenger to wear his life preserver before they even hop on board. Have passengers lower themselves slowly to the boat and head towards to boat center. To load objects on board, have someone pass them to you from the dock; thereby keeping your hands free to steady yourself in case you slip. Never allow passengers to run on the boat, as it can cause the boat to capsize, a terrible boating accident by all accounts.

By following these safety procedures, learning the rules of the water, and using common sense should help prevent most boating accidents. Drivers and passengers can still have a great time and will arrive back at the dock without incident. Enjoy your boat and enjoy the water, safely!

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