Boating incidents can cause severe injury, emotional trauma or death. The sad reality about many boating incidents is that people could prevent them with better conduct when operating boats and other aquatic vessels.
Some boating incidents are the result of factors outside of people’s control, such as defective vessel components or the improper maintenance of rented equipment. Most boating incidents occur due to factors that are within the control of the people involved in the incident.
Those who enjoy boating, swimming or operating personal watercraft may need to learn more about some of the top causes of boating incidents around California to improve their safety. What makes boating particularly dangerous?
Intoxicated operators
It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The same general rules apply to those boating as to those driving. They should maintain an appropriate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and avoid using illegal drugs or ability-impairing prescription medication. Many boating incidents, including those on the ocean and at popular landlocked destinations like Lake Tahoe, involve vessel operators under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Unsafe conduct
There are rules that apply to vessel operation and safety standards that people should follow. Operators should control their speed, monitor their surroundings and give adequate space to others in the water. However, limited enforcement of boating regulations may give people a false sense of security when they engage in questionable activities. Failing to watch for swimmers and personal watercraft or ignoring signs and flags indicating that water conditions may not be safe are common contributing factors to boating incidents.
Inexperience combined with excessive speed can be a dangerous recipe on the open ocean or even on a landlocked lake. Improper surveillance can exacerbate the risks posed by an inexperienced operator and high speeds. Some boating incidents occur due to encountering the wake of other vessels or dangerous weather conditions. Striking submerged objects, hitting a dock, colliding with another vessel or falling overboard are all examples of boating incidents that could have tragic consequences.
Understanding that the party at fault for a boating incident may have made an illegal or negligent choice beforehand could help inspire people to take appropriate action. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit successfully can help people cover expenses including medical costs, lost wages and the cost of repairing property damage.