Articles Posted in Boating Accidents

The message about Florida drunk driving accidents has been out for a long time. However, boating under the influence is still a major concern in the state. Experts estimate that one in four fatal boating accidents are caused by intoxication or drug use, and Florida has more boating accidents than any other state in the United States. According to experts, there are many reasons why boating accidents caused by BUI (boating under the influence) are so hard to prevent:

1) Less awareness. Since the 1980s, many organizations have worked to create awareness about DUI. The dangers of drinking and driving are stressed in media campaigns and in driving instruction. Young drivers are encouraged to sign pledges not to drink and drive. According to experts, there is less awareness about the dangers of BUI and less social pressure to avoid BUI.

2) Conditions on the water can aggravate the effects of alcohol. The sun, wind, and vibration of the boat can make the effects of alcohol more pronounced. These factors can also distract a boater even more and can even make it harder for a boater to notice intoxication, according to some experts.

3) According to the Coast Guard, intoxication can create an inner ear imbalance which can make it hard for someone to tell the difference between up and down. This ear disturbance can make someone feel more intoxicated than they really are and can create a drowning hazard if someone intoxicated is thrown into the water. Someone who is intoxicated can easily become disoriented in the water, and have a hard time swimming to safety.

4) Most boaters are more confident and familiar with cars than boats. Even experienced boaters spend more time in cars than in boats, and most boaters spend a fraction of the time in water than they do in a car.

5) Boating conditions can lead to dehydration, which can exacerbate the effects of alcohol. According to the Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration, and dehydration can make the effects of alcohol more pronounced. Boating usually involves hot, sunny days, which can easily lead to dehydration.

Even with all of these factors making BUI more likely, there is much that can be done. State, local, and federal authorities have been working to patrol Florida waterways more closely. In 2010, 323 BUI citations were written in Florida as a result of these efforts. As well, authorities and media outlets are making a larger effort to warn boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence. Hopefully, these efforts will help prevent Florida boating accidents this year and in the years to come.

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Florida drivers have repeatedly been warned about the dangers of Florida drunk driving accidents. There are in fact many laws in place to prevent such accidents from taking place: among them, a law that makes it illegal to drive in Florida with an open liquor container. Boaters, however, are also vulnerable to operating under the influence. However, the laws affecting boaters are different. In Florida, boaters are allowed to drink and to have open containers of alcohol. However, it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Authorities in Florida want to raise awareness about boating under the influence (BUI), which can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, impairment in a boat can be just as dangerous as impairment in a car, but many people do not see the two as the same. While the work of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and other organizations have raised awareness about the dangers of DUI, authorities claim that work still needs to be done to raise awareness about the dangers of BUI.

The problem is especially a big concern in Florida, which has the most registered boats in the US – and the largest number of boating accidents. According to National Association of Boating Law Administrators, Florida boat accidents and BUI incidents increase during the summer, especially near holiday weekends. Florida has taken steps to reduce the number of fatal Florida boating accidents. For example, local and Florida authorities are working with federal authorities this summer to patrol Florida’s water ways. Authorities have also reported plans for plenty of routine safety inspections on Florida’s waters this year, especially near holidays.

According to authorities, if a boater in Florida is found to be operating a boat while intoxicated, the boat can be impounded and the boater can be charged. The boater can face jail time, fines, and even the permanent loss of boating privileges. The Coast Guard has developed a set of standards to help authorities test boaters for inebriation. This allows authorities to test boaters without the boaters having to stand or perform the tests which are routine in a suspected DUI test. The Coast Guard standards are intended to help authorities determine whether a boat operator likely has a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more.

In Florida and across the US, BUI is a serious problem. According to some authorities, drugs and alcohol are a factor in about one quarter of fatal boating accidents. Just like driving drunk, boating drunk can delay response times and can lead to sleepiness or vision impairment. Worse, authorities point out that the wind, sun, and water can actually intensify the effects of alcohol in a boat.

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Now that summer is well under way, many states – Florida among them – want to put a stop to drunk boating accidents. While Florida drunk driving accidents are a cause for concern, many people do not realize that boating while intoxicated causes some of the same dangers. Many states this year are creating initiatives to help reduce boating accidents caused by alcohol consumption.

Studies show that alcohol is the chief reason behind boating accidents. According to the US Coast Guard, there are 12.4 million registered boats in the US. In 2010, there were 330 alcohol-related boating accidents across the country, resulting in 126 deaths and 293 injuries. Florida has a special role to play in preventing boating accidents. The state has many waterways, a larger percentage of boat owners than most states, and a significant percentage of boat accidents.

Many experts point out that the comparisons between intoxicated boating and drunk driving and apt. Boats can weigh a ton or more – as much as a passenger vehicle. Unlike a car, however, boats do not travel along lanes of traffic and do not have the advantage of traffic signs and brakes. This can make it even easier for an intoxicated boater to plow into another boat or into a swimmer.

As well, boating involves some additional dangers. Boaters experience direct sunlight, the vibration of the boat, wind and noise on the open water, and the heat of the sun. These can amplify alcohol’s effects, warn experts, especially in Florida, where temperatures and sunlight can be more intense. According to boating safety coordinator, Maj. Chris Huebner, quoted in a news article, one third of the alcohol required on land to become impaired can make a boater impaired. This is due to the stress factors of boating which can intensify the effects of alcohol.

Some legislation has been proposed to fight drunk boating. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, for example, has proposed a national standard for marine field sobriety tests. If passed, the proposal would allow authorities to test boaters’ blood alcohol levels while the boaters are seated. Some states – including Oklahoma and Iowa – have lowered the legal blood alcohol level of boaters to the levels required of drivers (0.08%). Each year, authorities and police departments across the country also take part in “Operation Dry Water” to raise awareness about boating under the influence and to remove intoxicated boaters from waterways. In 2010, 12 boaters were charged with boating under the influence (BUI) during the Operation Dry Water weekend.

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Every spring and summer, Florida’s many rivers and bays attract boaters, fishers, and swimmers. However, while Florida usually leads the country in terms of the number of registered vessels (just under one million) it usually also leads America in the number of fatal boating accidents. Sadly, many of these accidents are preventable. In 2009, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) reported that there were 65 fatal Florida boating accidents and 620 reported boating accidents in the state. The majority of boating accident fatalities are caused by drowning, and in many cases this could be prevented with the proper use of a life jacket. According to the FWC, many boating accidents can be prevented if boaters took the following precautions:

1) Took a boating safety course. Statistics from the FWC show that those who are most likely to be in a Florida boating accident are males who have boating experience but who have never taken a boating course. Experts agree that formal boating education can help prevent accidents.

2) Used life jackets every time. Everyone in a boat should be given correctly-sized life jackets and should wear them properly worn, the entire time that the boat is in the water. Life jackets are one of the easiest ways to prevent drowning deaths.

3) Stored an emergency kit on board. A good emergency kit should include flares, fire extinguishers, a first air kit, VHF radio, GPS, cell phone, and other necessities. Everyone on board should know where these items are found and how they are to be used.

4) Avoided alcohol and drugs when boating. Just as Florida drunk driving accidents cause countless tragedies, so do boating accidents caused by drinking. Boating requires focus and attention. Boaters who drink or do drugs cannot control their vessels and may not be able to react in time to avoid collisions or other hazards.

5) Reviewed boating safety often. Refresher courses are available for boaters, and there are many online resources, including the safety guide from the U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water (www.BoatUS.com/ Foundation/Toolbox) and the FWC site (www.myfwc.com/boating/safety-education). Boating safety basics should be reviewed at least once a season.

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According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a few common mistakes tend to cause many Florida boating accidents. To prevent the Florida brain injuries and drowning which cause the majority of boating fatalities, follow the FWC’s tips for safe boating:

1) Avoid causing an imbalance in a watercraft. If you are in a canoe or a small rowboat, avoid standing up. This can cause the boat to tip and can cause the boat to get off-balance. Standing up also increases the chances that you will lose your balance and fall into the water.

2) Never drink or use drugs when operating a boat. Just as alcohol causes many fatal Florida drunk driving accidents each year, it also causes a large proportion of boating accidents in the state. If you plan to drink, make sure you have at least one designated boater who is qualified to bring you back to shore.

3) Wear a life jacket each time you head out on the water. While the law does not require you to always wear a life jacket, it is the best practice to keep you safe. In many cases, Florida boating accident fatalities can be prevented by the correct use of life jackets. As well, boaters can face considerable fines if life jackets are not easily accessible, removed from their packaging, and within easy reach of boaters. Where possible, ensure that your life jacket comes with a whistle. In an accident, this simple safety feature can save your life.

4) Take a boating course. No matter what age you are, a boating safety course can teach you tips and procedures for avoiding or surviving an accident.

5) Before boating, alert friends and family where you will be going and when you will be back. This way, if you fail to show up, your loved ones can get help to you quickly. If you capsize or your boat is no longer operational, remain with the boat. Rescuers will look for your boat first, and it will generally be easy to spot. Do not attempt to swim to shore unless you have no other options or unless the shore is very close.

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According to new statistics, the majority of boaters involved in Florida boating accidents between 2004 and 2009 have never taken boating safety training. In fact, up to 90% of boaters involved in accidents have failed to take safety training. In many cases, these people rely on common sense or experience. However, the statistics suggest that formal training may be crucial in helping boaters avoid accidents.

According to experts, many Florida boating accidents are caused by lack of formal training, lack of life jackets, and carelessness on the water. Authorities are worried that people continue to die as a result of Florida brain injuries and drownings resulting from boating accidents. Despite more legislation, awareness campaigns, and stepped-up enforcement, Florida is still notorious for boating accidents.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), there have been 97 boating accident fatalities in Central Florida alone since 2004. Another 350 boaters sustained injuries in accidents during the same time period. Orange county and Polk county have the highest rates of boating accident fatalities, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Statewide, there were over 400 Florida boating accident fatalities and 2400 injuries between 2004 and 2009. According to the most recent 2009 data, 60% of boaters involved in fatal Florida accidents had over 100 hours of boating experience. In about 70% of these accidents, death was due to drowning.

As the number of registered boats in Florida continues to rise and as Florida hangs on to the dubious distinction of having one of the highest boating accident rates in the nation, law enforcement officials are concerned and searching for new ways to help prevent accidents on the state’s waterways. One new law should help. A new law passed by the Florida Legislature last year makes it mandatory for anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 to complete basic boating safety courses before operating a boat. The FWC says the law is a good start but doesn’t go far enough in requiring older boaters to get needed training, too.

Advocates for improved boating safety are concerned that the new law does not ensure that everyone gets safety training. They are also disappointed that regulations placing stricter controls on alcohol use and life jacket use have not been implemented. Many experts say that requiring life jackets and making drinking and boating illegal – and punishable by large fines – could remove two key causes of Florida boating accidents.

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Florida boating accidents do not always just involve boats. Parasailing accidents are also quite common on Florida’s waters. However, despite liability lawsuits and attempts to pass new legislation, parasailing is not as regulated an industry as some would like. In 2008, Rep. Carl Domino, R-Jupiter proposed a bill which would have required boat owners offering parasailing to meet certain standards and to carry liability insurance. The bill failed to pass committee.

In 2004, after two teenage girls were killed in a Florida parasailing accident, Sen. Jim Sebesta, R-St. Petersburg tried to pass some regulations to impose standards for operations and equipment of parasailing companies. The regulations failed to pass, despite a great deal of publicity and support.

Many experts believe that Florida needs parasailing regulations and standards because Florida is a magnet for the sport. Although there is no regulation for the sport and therefore no specific knowledge about the number of commercial parasail companies in Florida, according to The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are approximately 70-120 such businesses in Florida.

Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have said that they will be out in force this holiday weekend, to prevent Florida boating accidents. The officers are especially concerned about the tendency of some boaters to head out on the water after consuming alcohol or drugs. Boats and alcohol or drugs can create as many serious injuries and fatalities as Florida drunk driving accidents, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission claims.

According to officers, there are many reasons why boating and drinking don’t mix. First, the effects of alcohol and drugs can be intensified by the glare and the motion of the water, making someone feel the effects of alcohol much sooner than they normally would. As well, boaters who boat and drive often drink and drive as well when they haul their boats home, increasing their risk of causing a Florida car accident. During the holiday weekend, more boaters will also likely be on the water, increasing the risk of accidents and necessitating all boaters to remain focused and sober. There are many laws surrounding drinking and boating:

1) Operating a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol is sometimes referred to as BUI and is illegal under Florida laws. If you are stopped by an officer who has cause to believe you may be BUI, you may be asked to submit to testing for sobriety and blood alcohol levels.

Many of the boating accidents which make it into the news involve motorized boats. However, many Florida boating accidents in fact involve small man-powered boats such as canoes or kayaks. Just because these boats do not have motors, this does not make them perfectly safe. They can still result in accidents, near-drowning, and serious injuries. Each year, for example, some Florida head injuries occur when people who are canoeing or kayaking run into trouble.

According to the National Safety Council and The American Canoe Association, there are several things Florida kayakers and canoe enthusiasts can do to stay safe in the water:

1) It is best to travel with at least three boating buddies and two canoes or kayaks. This helps ensure that if you run into trouble, there is another craft to help you – as well as others who can get help.

Florida has many waterways and this means many opportunities for boating. While boating enthusiasts love this time of year for the recreational opportunities it offers, Florida authorities as well as the United States Coast Guard (USCG) like to remind boaters at this time of year that most boating accidents are preventable. Nevertheless, each year Florida boating accidents cause serious personal injuries, fatalities, and property damage.

According to authorities, most Florida boating accidents are caused by operator distraction, negligence, passenger behavior, speeding, and DUI. Just as in Florida drunk driving car accidents, alcohol contributes to far too many boating accidents in the area. Some experts believe that as many as 21% of all fatal boating accidents are caused at least in part by alcohol consumption.

Boaters may also want to brush up on their skills and boat operation training. According to experts, about three quarters of all fatal boating accidents are caused by operators who lack any formal boating training. Classes are widely available and many are quite affordable, so there is no excuse for ignorance. Life jacket use is also always essential when boating. Statistics show that in most boating accidents, drowning causes the most fatalities. In 90% of these fatalities, life jackets were not worn, making these fatalities very preventable. Life jackets should always be correctly worn whenever near the water.