Summer is here, and the boating season is upon us! While boating offers fun water adventure for thrill-seekers and pleasure-cruisers alike, it’s important to stay safe by circumventing potential risks and hazards. Boating-related injuries and fatalities are most common in summer due to the influx of inexperienced and unvigilant skippers.
Here are 4 helpful tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer:
Tip #1: Pay Attention to the Weather
Whether you’re playing in a lake or heading out to sea, it’s always important to check weather reports before departure. Dependable forecasts can be found on local television news shows, radio stations, and even online internet reports.
However, regardless of these reports, if you notice a dangerous change in the weather it’s time to head back to the dock.
Tip #2: Create a Float Plan
A float plan lists your trip itinerary as well as the names and phone numbers of everyone in your party. It also includes your boat registration information and any available communication options. In case of an emergency, someone on land can use this list to help authorities locate and communicate with you. Make sure someone you trust has this information!
Tip #3: Make Sure Everyone Is Wearing a Lifejacket
While this may seem obvious, most drowning accidents occur because boat passengers aren’t wearing lifejackets. It’s estimated that nearly 85% of all fatal drowning victims weren’t wearing lifejackets while boating. Even the most experienced swimmers can get tired or injured, and lifejackets may save their lives. On that note, all young children should wear lifejackets if they’re on a boat or in the water.
Tip #4: Don’t Drink and Drive
Alcohol is one of the leading causes of all boating accidents and fatalities in the United States. When boat operators and passengers drink, they lose coordination and the ability to make good judgements. Specifically, impaired operators tend to collide with other boats and objects in their vicinity. This is extremely dangerous when large bodies of water are involved.
There are severe penalties for Boating Under the Influence (BUI), including costly fines and jail time.
Learn About Your Personal Injury Options
Contact the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley if you’ve been injured in a boating incident. Our personal injury attorneys have decades of legal experience, and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We fight so you can pursue the compensation you deserve!
We offer 24/7 legal service in English and Spanish. Call our personal injury attorneys at (530) 413-0245 to schedule a free consultation.