Which is the major cause of fatalities involving small boats?
aa) Mechanical failures
bb) Bad weather
cc) Drowning/Overboard
dd) Careless movement
The correct answer is cc) Drowning/Overboard.
The major cause of fatalities involving small boats
When you’re out on the open water, it’s important to have a watchful eye for any signs of danger. In addition to monitoring weather conditions and watching for traffic, be sure to keep an eye out for those who may fall overboard.
Drowning from falling overboard represents a major cause of fatality involving small boats. With that in mind, always wear your life jacket.
How to prevent falling overboard from small boats
Preventing falls overboard from small boats is a major concern for those who spend time on the water. In fact, falling overboard and drowning is the leading cause of fatalities in small craft boaters. Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself against this danger. Follow the below to prevent falling overboard –
Keep centered
Riding in a small boat can be an exhilarating experience. But it’s also important to stay safe and not fall overboard. To avoid that, keep your center of gravity low by sitting close to the middle of the boat.
If you’re a sailor, then you know that it’s important to stay centered in the boat. This will help keep your center of gravity low and shoulders between the gunwales so as not to capsize or overturn your vessel.
Limit movement
If you are on a small boat and need to move about, don’t do so without using three points of contact. This will ensure that if the boat shifts or moves for any reason, there is less risk of causing an accident. It may seem like common sense, but it can be easy to forget in your excitement. So to avoid falling overboard, always be conscious of where your position is.
Make sure to use three points of contact before moving around too much. (say “one hand and both feet” or “two hands and one foot”)
Avoid overloading
Remember that the smaller your boat is, the less weight you can carry. This means it’s important not to overload a small boat with too many passengers and gear. That’s it for the basics of boat safety.
Remember to always keep your weight evenly distributed and balanced, avoid going out in a small boat that you don’t feel safe in, and never overload a canoe or kayak with gear or passengers.
Why should you avoid overloading? Because this will cause the center of gravity to shift, which can lead to capsizing or flipping over.
How to prevent your small boat from capsizing
Capsizing is a boating accident, as well as one of the most terrifying and dangerous accidents that can happen on the water.
The best way to keep your small boat from capsizing is to stay centered, limit your movement and avoid overloading it. Also, follow the below steps and you’ll be well on your way to a smooth sailing experience.
Safe speed
Boat capsizing is often preventable. If you take corners at a safe speed and angle, it is possible to avoid capsizing your boat.
Boats’ wake
When you’re out on the water, your boat can easily be capsized by wakes. So watch for other vessels’ wake.
If you are in a small boat, it’s best to take the wake head-on from the bow of your vessel by slowing down or switching course so that the waves hit at an angle. This will help prevent capsizing and keep you afloat for longer.
Things to do if someone falls overboard
If you see someone fall overboard, do the following:
1) Reduce your speed and toss them a PFD (preferably one of those throwable types).
2) You should turn your vessel around and approach from downwind or into the current to ensure the person doesn’t get sucked under.
3) Throw something to distract the attention of other boaters. Get help immediately.
4) Now stop the engine to avoid getting pulled under by the propeller (or worse) and pull them back in over the stern of your vessel. You should also try keeping their weight in balance with others on board until help arrives.
Conclusion
The major cause of fatalities involving small boats is drowning and/or going overboard. We hope that this article has been useful in educating you on the dangers of being out on a boat without any life jackets or safety gear, as well as what to do if someone goes overboard from your vessel. Remember, always wear a life jacket while boating.