| Boating accidents are unfortunate occurrences that | | | | · Improper anchoring of your boat: It is |
| cause thousands of injuries and fatalities every year. | | | | common for people to anchor their boats to the |
| They can happen for a number of reasons and | | | | stern. This is a bad idea, especially on smaller boats. It |
| because they occur on a body of water, which is | | | | creates very dangerous situations when weight is |
| typically sparsely populated, they can be highly | | | | shifted throughout the boat or when a larger wave |
| dangerous and it is not guaranteed assistance will be | | | | impacts the vessel. |
| readily available. However, when you know what | | | | · Man overboard: This can happen at any |
| causes accidents you can prevent one from ever | | | | time, but usually man overboard is caused by unsafe |
| happening aboard your vessel. | | | | behavior or improper warnings. Passengers should |
| Common Causes of Boating Accidents | | | | remain in proper seating whenever the boat is in |
| The following are common accidents that can happen | | | | motion and they should never stand or sit near or on |
| to any boat and in any type of boating environment. | | | | the railing of the boat. Also, boat operators should be |
| Knowing what can happen can help you prevent it | | | | careful when taking quick turns or starting the boat |
| from ever happening. | | | | suddenly. Proper warning can really help your |
| · Capsizing: A boat can capsize, or flip, for a | | | | passengers remain secure. |
| number of reasons, such as bad weather or | | | | · Overloading the boat or improperly loading |
| misleading. When they do happen it is important to | | | | the boat: this is one of the leading causes of fatal |
| stay with your boat. There is little chance the boat | | | | accidents. Boats require proper distribution of weight |
| will sink and there is also a small chance you will | | | | in order to operate smoothly. Weight shifting while |
| actually be able to swim to the shore, unless you are | | | | the boat is in operation can cause serious instability. |
| very close. It is easy to see a capsized boat from | | | | Passengers should avoid moving around while the |
| the air so just stay calm and stick by your boat until | | | | boat is in motion. |
| help arrives. | | | | |