May 12

Boating Safety 101 and the 23 Deadliest Boating Accidents

Accidents and Safety

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I received an email from Lisa Bertil of safeboater.com, a Canadian boating safety site:

As you know, boating can be one of the absolute best recreational activities, but also one of the most dangerous. We tracked down the 23 Deadliest Boating Accidents over the past 20 years to prove it. While this isn't the cheeriest of news, the boating season is right around the corner and we wanted to help spread the message of boater safety. Hopefully some readers of the list take warning and be a little extra cautious this year!

You can read this article here.

I thought it might be good to counterbalance this somewhat grim article with some safety tips that Lisa very kindly provided below. Be careful out there y'all!

  1. Always wear a life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device). The majority of drowning victims as the result of boating accidents were found not to be wearing a Life jacket. Make sure that your family and friends aren't part of this statistic by assigning and fitting each member of your on board team with a Life jacket-prior to departure. Life jackets and PFDs have come a long way. Inflatable types and a wider range of colors and styles make it easier for you to find and wear the one that's right for you.
  2. Avoid Alcohol The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved, and studies have also shown that the affect of alcohol is exacerbated by external effects such as sun and wind. Don't drink and drive your boat!
  3. Check the weather forecast before heading out. Always check local weather conditions for boating safety before departure- TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, volatile and rough changing winds, or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water.
  4. Use common sense and operate responsibly. One of the most important parts of boating safety is to use your common sense. This means operating at a safe speed at all times, especially in crowded areas. Be alert at all times, and steer clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Also be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there for one reason only- to ensure your own boating safety
  5. Learn to swim. If you're going to be in and around the water, proper boating safety means knowing how to swim. Local organizations such as the American Red Cross and others offer training for all ages and abilities- check to see what classes are offered in your area!
  6. Never stand up in your small powerboat, canoe, or similar watercraft. Numerous drownings occur when fishermen stand up to urinate over the side of a boat.
  7. Take a boating safety course. Beginning boaters and experienced experts alike need be familiar with boating safety rules of operation. Boater education requirements vary by state- some require validated completion of at least one boating safety course. Regardless of your individual state's requirements, it's always important to be educated, aware and prepared for every circumstance that might arise. (http://www.boaterexam.com)
  8. Don't overload your boat. Avoid capsizing by following the load restrictions of your craft. This includes not only the number of passengers, but also the weight of your gear.
  9. Follow the rules of the waterways. Be courteous of others using the waterways and obey all boating rules. Be watchful of swimmers and other boaters, and always have a spotter for water-skiers and tube riders
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  1. Just want to add – #3 – check the weather not only before heading out, but during a longer outing. Oh, and #10 – always have appropriate safety equipment on your boat, such as GPS locator, a marine radio, etc .

  2. Number One is sooooo important. Look for details on my blog in a few days; right now, that’s something our friend’s family can’t deal with. After the memorial service, maybe they’ll be better able to cope.

  3. I just posted a basic article about PFDs on Desert Sea after an honest-to-goodness real live person asked me to explain what a PFD is and what it does.

  4. The SafeBoater article was a bit confusing because of the way it intermixed small craft and big ships. One other itty bitty nitpick was its placing the Turks and Caicos islands southwest of Miami in disaster no. 10 “(about 500 miles SW of Miami, Fl)”

  6. Number 4 is certainly important, unfortunately it seems to many people leave their common sense at the dock. It seems to many people (recreational boater) seem to think that once they step on a boat it’s time to party and forget how dangerous a boat can be. I live in NH and fortunately for NH residents the Department of Safety Division of Marine Patrol require all boaters to be certified in order to operate a boat.

  7. Number 2 is a must! Never drink and drive. It can get you killed on road and it can kill you at sea. Or at least you make a lot of damage or kill some other people. Don’t drink and drive a boat!

  10. Very good information here. Many people don’t seem to realize that many of the boating laws are for their own safety as well as the boaters. Thank you!

  11. Boat safety is very important on every boat trip because it prevents further accidents and to make sure that nobody gets hurt. Every rules and regulations on the boat must be followed religiously so that mishaps and unfortunate accidents will be prevented.

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