Florida Boaters Experience A Different Set Of Risks From Cars
Corbin Sutter
Boating Accidents
Considering the warm weather that Florida experiences year round, with no ice forming in the water, it’s no surprise that some Venice and Port Charlotte residents would take advantage of this environmental bounty and invest in pleasure craft, like boats, to enjoy Florida’s coast. However, as a watercraft, a boat has some very different characteristics from the vehicles we use daily on Florida roads.As a result, there’s a whole different category of risks and injuries that Florida’s boat users need to be aware of. Here are some of the most common boating injuries that occur in Florida waters.
Capsizing
This is a leading risk for boats below a certain size. Capsizing is when the entire boat fails to remain level in the water or is overcome by water due to stormy conditions and overturns, exposing everyone to the ocean. Smaller vessels such as sail boats and row boats are the most susceptible to this, though with the right conditions, potentially any boat is vulnerable.
Overloading, improper anchoring, a loss of power, or unsafe boat handling are all possible factors that can lead to capsizing. Fortunately for smaller vessels, capsizing often does not involve sinking the boat itself, which gives victims something to cling to but still puts everyone at risk.
Collisions Due To Improper Forward Watch
This is, again, an incredibly common occurrence. Forward watch refers to the responsibility of boat owners to maintain a watch of the path forward for the boat, the better to get out of the way of potential obstacles. However, many boat owners, lulled into a false sense of security by there being no lanes, with closely congested vehicles, and being able to see miles ahead theoretically, can sometimes neglect this basic boating precaution.
As a result, especially in low light conditions such as dusk, or night, it’s very easy for boaters to have an improper forward watch that results in a collision. If it’s with another boat, or a smaller vehicle, such as a jet ski, this can also involve multiple injuries for all involved.
Man Overboard
This occurs for many reasons, although intoxication is one of the most common causes. The man-overboard scenario is often a gateway to the most tragic of ocean injuries and deaths, drowning. Statistics indicate that of the drownings that occur in Florida water, 85% of them happen with drowning victims who did not wear life jackets.
Life jackets are often considered bulky, uncomfortable, and unnecessary by people taking to Florida’s waters during calm periods when the weather is good. The thinking is that because they have no intention of swimming or engaging in risky boating maneuvers, life jacket precautions are unnecessary. Unfortunately, as with all emergency precautions, life jackets are only excessive until your life depends on them. When it’s not there, deciding to forgo the inconvenience can cost a life.
Negligence Is Not Legal
Negligence isn’t a criminal activity in the same way theft or assault is, but that doesn’t mean the law permits it. People on boats have a legal obligation to operate those craft safely and responsibly, the same way drivers on the road do. If you’re injured in a boating accident because of someone’s negligence, the negligent party is legally and financially responsible for any injury or death.
For example, if you have children and they ride in a boat, if the boat operator doesn’t put life jackets on them, the boat capsizes. The children drown; legal culpability for the drowning of the children falls on the operator who failed to take precautions and put lifejackets on the children.
Don’t let the harm caused by another boater go unanswered. Talk to a boating accident attorney about what happened, and get the justice you deserve.