Custom Search
Top Common Causes of Boating Accidents
Boating, hands down can be a wonderful source of relaxation, adventure, a very enjoyable pass time and a wonderful experience. But sadly it is also the root cause of some dangerous situations, which often leads to some grave injuries or fatal accidents. Being aware of the common causes of such misfortune will caution you from repeating the same mistakes and enjoy your much loved recreational activity without risking your lives.
Motorboats with open cockpits had the highest number of casualties with 353 deaths and 1669 injuries. Personal watercraft was second, with 45 deaths and 920 injuries. The causes of death were drowning and trauma, which were the bulk of the causes of injury and death at almost 90 percent. Of that 90 percent, only one in ten was wearing an approved flotation device. What follows below is a compilation of the top five causes of water-related accidents from the same period studied - 2008 -- with observations of how they are caused and how they may be corrected.
* Handholds - This is a type of stainless steel fitting that needs to be bolted via the cabin-side or the deck, and should also be fitted with load distributing pads where necessary. The sealing compound should be bedded with outside flange fittings, washers and pressure pads. Not only should the bolts be drawn tight, but they should also be corrosion-free.
Recklessness is sadly another reason behind boating accidents. Boaters often get carried away by the thrill of speeding in the waters and showing off their skills of making a sharp turn, or doing tricks, jumping out of the boat while it is still in motion has lead to boating accidents often. Inexperience of boaters has featured as one of the causes behind such accidents. It is advisable to take the first few trips on the boat with an experienced boater aboard.
It is always not the boater's fault that leads to an accident. The boat itself can be faulty to begin with. It is therefore absolutely crucial for the boat to go under a proper boat test before taking it out in the water. The engine may cease to function or the hull might give way and the results could be disastrous. Before taking your boat for a trip or a ride, inspect for any damage or malfunction. Maintaining the boat will also ensure that it is in a good condition.
Passenger recklessness, operator inexperience, drowning after a boat capsizing, drowning due to not wearing a life vest, severe trauma, overloading falling overboard, collisions with fixed objects such as docks, piers and buoys, collision with other boats and vessels are also reasons behind several watercraft accidents. Some of us those who are lucky enough survive by God's grace and the not-so-lucky- ones succumb to the injuries or in the hands of fate after a terrible boating accident.
We all love boating so much we would rather take a day off and go out in the water. But let us keep this pleasurable activity a pleasure and not a cause of a painful experience. As a responsible citizen we must abide by all the boating safety rules and regulations though at the back of our mind's we know there are the always-ready-to-save-us Coast Guards.
Motorboats with open cockpits had the highest number of casualties with 353 deaths and 1669 injuries. Personal watercraft was second, with 45 deaths and 920 injuries. The causes of death were drowning and trauma, which were the bulk of the causes of injury and death at almost 90 percent. Of that 90 percent, only one in ten was wearing an approved flotation device. What follows below is a compilation of the top five causes of water-related accidents from the same period studied - 2008 -- with observations of how they are caused and how they may be corrected.
* Handholds - This is a type of stainless steel fitting that needs to be bolted via the cabin-side or the deck, and should also be fitted with load distributing pads where necessary. The sealing compound should be bedded with outside flange fittings, washers and pressure pads. Not only should the bolts be drawn tight, but they should also be corrosion-free.
Recklessness is sadly another reason behind boating accidents. Boaters often get carried away by the thrill of speeding in the waters and showing off their skills of making a sharp turn, or doing tricks, jumping out of the boat while it is still in motion has lead to boating accidents often. Inexperience of boaters has featured as one of the causes behind such accidents. It is advisable to take the first few trips on the boat with an experienced boater aboard.
It is always not the boater's fault that leads to an accident. The boat itself can be faulty to begin with. It is therefore absolutely crucial for the boat to go under a proper boat test before taking it out in the water. The engine may cease to function or the hull might give way and the results could be disastrous. Before taking your boat for a trip or a ride, inspect for any damage or malfunction. Maintaining the boat will also ensure that it is in a good condition.
Passenger recklessness, operator inexperience, drowning after a boat capsizing, drowning due to not wearing a life vest, severe trauma, overloading falling overboard, collisions with fixed objects such as docks, piers and buoys, collision with other boats and vessels are also reasons behind several watercraft accidents. Some of us those who are lucky enough survive by God's grace and the not-so-lucky- ones succumb to the injuries or in the hands of fate after a terrible boating accident.
We all love boating so much we would rather take a day off and go out in the water. But let us keep this pleasurable activity a pleasure and not a cause of a painful experience. As a responsible citizen we must abide by all the boating safety rules and regulations though at the back of our mind's we know there are the always-ready-to-save-us Coast Guards.
About the Author:
How a DUI Attorney Can Help You Unlocking the Secrets of DUI Offense With a Criminal DUI Lawyer