Boating Safety Tips for Fall
It’s the time of year many boaters look forward to: no crowds and open waterways. However, the fall boating season also presents its challenges. A recent article in Sail World outlined some important safety tips to keep in mind this season.
- The weather can change at a moment’s notice, equipment could fail, or you could have an accident. Make a float plan. Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back. Have them notify the authorities if they don’t hear that you’re back safely. Also, leave a note under the windshield wiper of your car when you park it at the launch. Include the route you plan to take. If you’re not back, someone may see the note and sound the alarm.
- Falls overboard rank among the top five primary accident types, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. They also are responsible for the greatest number of deaths than the other four accident types combined. Make sure you have a functional emergency ladder to reboard your boat if you fall in. The cold water can quickly sap your strength. Don’t have a ladder? Hang a looped line over the transom. Make sure you tie foothold loops every few inches.
- Wear a brightly colored life jacket. Camouflage may be stylish but it’s not effective for being seen in the water. Your life jacket should also be on your person, and not just available nearby on the vessel. An accident can happen in an instant and it is most important that you stay safe.
- Know the risks of potential accidents. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2021 report, there were 273 falls overboard with 170 fatalities. There were 1,226 collisions with another vessel resulting in 31 deaths, and 508 collisions with fixed objects causing 43 fatalities. There were 461 instances of flooding/swamping with 23 fatalities, and 308 boat groundings resulting in 23 deaths.
Despite every attempt at safety, another boater’s negligence or a manufacturing defect could result in injury on the water. Having a better understanding of your legal options may help. If you need to speak to a top boating accident attorney in Philadelphia, please contact us.