aa) During calm sea, clear weather, and good visibility
bb) During the late evening or nighttime heavy rain
cc) During sudden thunderstorms and lightening
dd) During rough water with strong winds
The answer is a) During calm sea, clear weather and good visibility.
Under which conditions do most boating accidents occur?
As you can see, the cause of boating accidents is often not what they seem. Boating is one of those activities that seems to be safe and calm but it’s actually quite dangerous.
It’s hard to believe that so many boating accidents occur during the day and in good weather, but it’s true. The statistics support this as most accidents occur during calm weather.
So, why do they occur?
Well, the number one reason is poor judgment on the part of the boat’s operator. Under normal conditions and under no apparent risk, this person decides to exceed his or her own ability by either speeding up too quickly or by turning too sharply. Under these conditions, it becomes an accident waiting to happen.
Honestly speaking, the most common reason for accidents is the failure to detect other boats in time to avoid a collision. This often happens because of high speeds and poor attention.
As per the investigation, there are many factors that contribute to boat accidents; however, drugs and alcohol use, as well as an improper lookout, seem to be the most common causes.
The main factors of boating accidents
Boating accidents can happen in a split second. They are often due to one of the following factors:
- Operator error, including operator distraction, over-confidence, and lack of experience.
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Improper lookout.
- Careless or improper passing.
- Mechanical or structural failure, including design defect, poor quality control during production, or some other type of manufacturing issue.
- Equipment failure.
- Weather-related incidents such as storms at sea, heavy fog banks, strong waves, and wind, or unexpected shallow waters.
- Collisions with floating objects like debris.
- Underwater hazards, such as reefs and rocks.
- In some cases, overloading of the boat with too many people and too much cargo.
All boaters should take precautions against these pitfalls when out on the water.
How to avoid a boating accident?
Following a few simple measures will reduce the likelihood of being involved in a boating accident. These include:
1) Checking weather conditions before you start your day’s activities.
2) Creating an emergency plan, which includes keeping a marine radio with you.
3) Wearing a life preserver and having flares onboard.
4) Knowing how to properly use your boat’s signal lights, horn, and whistle.
5) Having the proper safety equipment for your vessel, including knives, oars, life jackets, and fire extinguisher.
6) Undertaking basic boating safety courses.
7) Following the rules of the road, such as watching out for other boats and obeying speed limits.
8) Tuning in to local marine radio channels to listen for weather changes and navigational warnings.
9) Having experience in navigation and collision avoidance, especially when in congested waters or when the conditions are rough.
10) Finally look out what matters the most. Proper lookout helps ensure the safety of each boat. Boaters should always be alert to what other boats are doing and where they are located. If you can’t see around your boat, you are increasing the chance of running into another moving vessel when turning.
What are the consequences of a boating accident?
For the victim, the consequences of a boating accident may include:
- Death or serious injury.
- Drowning.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Fractures.
- Head, neck, and spinal cord injuries.
- Hypothermia.
- Injury from propellers.
- Total vessel loss.
- Loss of property and valuables from the sinking boat. (Property damage)
- Expensive medical expenses, including hospitalizations and surgeries.
How do you know if you are maintaining a sharp lookout to avoid an accident?
COLREGS Rule-5:
Keeping watch is not only a good practice, but it is required by the regulations (COLREGS Rule-5). Stay vigilant and keep your eye on the horizon for any dangers that may be approaching.
Rule-5 requires that “every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.”
Nighttime watches:
Night-time watches are often more difficult than daytime. So make sure you turn off the bright lights that might disorientate your lookout.
Available means:
The Rule is clear that you should use all available means to maintain a good lookout. What are some of the “available” tools and methods? Electronic equipment like radar, GPS and AIS (Automatic Identification System), VHF, and nighttime glasses.
Sole responsibility:
A sailor must not do any other duties or activities while maintaining a lookout. It is not your job to do paperwork or other maintenance work when there is nobody else. The only duty you have at that moment is to keep a lookout. A good lookout demands 100% of your attention (with a 360° view).
Taking early action:
We all know how dangerous it is to collide with a boat at sea, but the danger of collision becomes even more evident when you consider that two boats can cover 12 miles in just 12 minutes. This means if your boat and another’s are approaching each other at 30 knots, then within 12 minutes, they will be able to cover 12 miles!
Conclusion
What do you think? Do these conditions sound like ones that could lead to a boating accident? If so, make sure your boat is ready for any of them. The best way to avoid a boating incident is by being prepared. In this blog post, we discussed the most common causes of accidents on the water and how to prevent them from happening in your own life or business.
