Boat accidents are more common than many people imagine, and they can often be deadly. Boat safety is something too many take lightly, however, and this is one of the many reasons why accidents are so common. But, in some cases, it might be because of a lack of preparation or situations out of your control. This is why you need to be prepared for anything and know the real dangers of operating a boat. Let’s take a look at how you can help prevent boating accidents.
Always Be Sober
According to the U.S Coast Guard, the leading cause of boat accidents was sailing under the influence. The number of accidents involving someone who was under the influence was at 23% in 2019, and 1 out of 7 fatalities had alcohol as one of the contributing causes.
People are often under the impression that boats are somewhat safer to drive after drinking since there’s less traffic. But accidents happen fast and the extra second of reaction time could make the difference between avoiding an incident or something much more severe.
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Get Safety Training
Also, according to the Coast Guard, a whopping 90% of accidents where there was a fatality involved someone who didn’t receive the mandatory safety training. So, if you were thinking of riding the seas without any training, you are putting yourself and other people on the boat at risk in addition to facing serious legal repercussions.
Taking the safety course is fairly easy too. You could go on a site like ilearntoboat and find the proper course for your state. You can take the course online, and it only lasts 3 hours. You can decide to get it on your own time and in one sitting.
Get the Proper Safety Equipment
In addition to getting training, you have to make sure that you have the proper equipment inside the boat. You need enough floatation devices and safety vests for everyone on board. You have to ensure that you have all the emergency equipment needed as well as a first aid kit. An anchor, boat lights, and a fire extinguisher should also be there.
About 70% of fatal boat accidents include drowning, and, in the vast majority of cases, those who end up drowning do not have a life jacket on. So, make sure to not only have enough jackets but that everyone wears theirs for the whole duration of the ride.
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Learn How to Monitor Weather Conditions
You have to make sure that you monitor weather conditions carefully and that you don’t take unnecessary chances. A large portion of accidents every year are caused either directly by weather or by damage caused by it, like issues with dams or missing navigation aids. This is something you’ll need to master fast before you start sailing.
These are a few tips that will help reduce the chances that you get implicated in a serious boat accident. Make sure to follow them to the letter and do everything you can to ensure the safety of both you and your passengers.
A boat accident may happen in many different situations. Many boating accidents can cause injury or death, and many different laws govern liability in such accidents. It is important to have contacts of a boat accident lawyer at hand in case of such accidents
