Boating Safety Tips

Now that the weather is heating up and summer is here, many of us are going to enjoy the season by spending time out on the water. However, boating is a favored outdoor activity for the summer, however, it is important to be cautious in order to avoid being involved in a serious accident. Continue reading for some essential boating safety tips.

Preventing Boating Accidents

No one wants his/her fun day out on a boat to turn into a disaster.

To keep you and your passengers safe, we compiled a list of boating safety tips:

• All of your passengers should wear properly fitted life jackets: If an accident happens, you and your passengers need to be prepared, so everyone should be wearing a life jacket while the boat is in operation, including children. Otherwise, there might not be enough time to put one on if an accident happens.

• Sign up for a safety course: Human error is often the cause of most boating accidents, so you should consider taking a boating safety course that will teach you how to read the weather, handle navigation, and more.

• Never drink alcohol while operating a boat: Much like drinking and driving is against the law, boating and drinking is also illegal. More importantly, it is also incredibly dangerous and the cause of a third of recreational boating fatalities.
  

• Do not speed: We all know speeding on the road is dangerous, but many often do not realize it is just as dangerous to speed on the water. Obey the speed limit when boating and be cautious with any turns and curves you take.

What to Do After a Boating Accident

Accidents will still happen, so it is important to know what to do in the aftermath.

Here are some tips on what to do if you are involved in a boating accident:

• After an accident, safety should always come first, so quickly do a headcount to make sure all of your passengers are still on board. If anyone is in need of aid, call for emergency services immediately.

• If you are in an area where there is high boating traffic, do what you can to get your boat to a safe place.

• Call law enforcement to the scene. You will need to give a statement, which you should also obtain a copy of for your records.

• Document the accident by collecting names and contact information for the parties involved, including witnesses. You should also take photos of the scene and any injuries.

Schedule a Consultation with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today!

If you were injured in a boating accident, the team at Anderson Traylor Edwards can assist you. With more than 50 years of combined experience on our side, you can trust that our team is prepared to help you.

Reach out to our law office today at 985-244-3070 to schedule a consultation.