Common Causes of Boating Accidents
While boating is a relaxing hobby that can be very rewarding and great for families and friends, there are also a lot of safety concerns to think about when you’re piloting a boat. Wherever you take your craft, there will always be boaters with different skill and experience levels who may not be as vigilant or as cautious with their actions. Their inattention and general behavior can result in an accident, and you might be involved.
Below, you’ll find some of the most common ways that people get themselves into a boat accident so that you can take steps to prevent this happening to you and your beloved vessel.
1. Inattention
One of the biggest causes of boat accidents is simply operators not paying attention to what they’re doing. If you’re steering your craft, you have to be focused at all times and make sure that you are watching the path ahead for other boats, swimmers, water-skiers, people on personal watercraft, buoys and anything else that you could hit. Don’t mess with your phone or the radio or get distracted by a conversation!
2. Inebriation
Just as you don’t drive your car while under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs, you shouldn’t operate your boat under the influence, either. While it might sound nice to have a cold beer on the water, you either need to not be the one operating the boat or you need to go back to shore and have it at a dockside bar instead. Always remain sober when intending to operate your boat.
3. Inexperience
Of course, another major issue that boaters have that can get them into trouble is not having sufficient experience in operating their vessels. It’s crucial to spend some time getting acquainted with how your boat works before you take it on the water. Review the owner’s manual, analyze the controls and enroll yourself in a boat-safety course that’s run by the United States Coast Guard or another reputable organization.
4. Lack of Maintenance
Finally, one of the things you need to stay on top of in order to prevent a boating accident is maintenance. Your craft needs to be in good working condition at all times, with fresh fuel, clean oil and no glaring issues. You don’t want to be out on the water when a mishap occurs due to your negligence. Remember that you can always get in touch with the Island Watersports service department if you’d like a professional to have a look at your boat before your next sojourn.
When you’re ready to shop for boats, visit our Fenwick Island, DE, dealership location to view our current selection of new and used boats for sale. We can also assist you with financing options if you so desire. Island Watersports serves all of Delaware and we also welcome our customers coming from Ocean City and Salisbury in Maryland.