What to Do If You Are Involved in a Boating Accident

Being involved in a boating accident is a downright frightening experience. On top of the risks of injury from the initial crash and damage to your vessel, drowning is a major threat that must be taken seriously.

Unfortunately, like car crashes, you could be doing everything right and still be involved in an accident. It’s important to know what to do in the unlikely event that you find yourself in such a situation.

In this article, we’ll address the following important points:

What causes boating accidents?

How can I prevent a boat accident?

What is required of a boat operator when an accident occurs?

When would a written boating accident report be required?

What Causes Boating Accidents?

Boating accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and operator error is not always to blame. The most common causes of boating accidents are:

• Inexperience: 70 percent of boating accidents that resulted in fatalities occurred where one or more of the operators had no boating education. Formal boating experience isn’t always a requirement, but given these stats, we highly recommend that all inexperienced boaters enroll in classes.
• Mechanical Failure: Engine, electrical, and fuel system failure are unlikely but possible causes of accidents. Mechanical failures can result in loss of control, fires, electrocution, or other catastrophic events. This is one of the many reasons that keeping your engine in top shape is critical.
• Recklessness: It’s not uncommon for boaters to forget that they’re operating large, powerful vehicles while they’re out having a good time. Distracted boating can come with significant consequences.
• Poor Weather: This one is generally preventable, but sometimes weather can turn unexpectedly. Bad weather is responsible for hundreds of boating accidents a year, so it’s important for operators to know what to do when storm clouds start rolling.
• Drugs & Alcohol: Having a few drinks on the water is a favorite activity for many. Unfortunately for the operator, sobriety is a must. Boat operators must act responsibly to ensure that they’re clear-headed and ready to handle any unforeseen challenges.
• Speeding: This one is pretty straightforward. Like any other motorized vehicle, moving at unsafe speeds decreases the operator’s ability to fully control the vessel.

How Can I Prevent an Accident?

Preparedness & Prevention

Many of the worst boating accidents can be avoided with proper foresight and planning.

Check the Weather: The National Weather Service is a great reference to check for various weather warnings ahead of your trip.

Once on the water, the NOAA broadcasts will be your best source for weather updates. Set your radio to 162.400 MHz, 162.475 MHz, or 162.550 MHz for detailed, continuous coverage of storm developments.

Make sure you have all the recommended and required safety equipment on board, just in case. Our guide to storm safety outlines everything you need to know to be prepared.

Maintain Your Engine: Following the manufacturer-recommended maintenance intervals can prevent mechanical failures. Regular service, whether it’s performed by you or a mechanic, keeps your equipment in top condition. In addition, you’re often able to spot potential problems before they become too serious.

If you have a Yamaha, Mercury, or MerCruiser engine, PartsVu has assembled convenient maintenance kits with everything you’ll need to perform essential service. For help completing the steps, PartsVu Xchange covers the how-tos for all of the Yamaha and Mercury maintenance you’ll need.

Education

“You don’t know what you don’t know.” When we are self-taught, we may be unaware of gaps in our knowledge. Education is the best way to learn the basics and keep yourself confident and calm when unexpected conditions arise.

State requirements vary widely— some have no requirements whatsoever, while others may require a completed boater education course or license. Factors such as age, horsepower, and history of boating law infractions may come into play. Regardless, boating safety classes are a smart investment in the safety of you and your future passengers.

If you have seasoned boater-friends, you likely won’t have trouble convincing them to share what they know. Ask them if they’d be willing to accompany you on your first few outings— it may cost you a beer or two, but we’re sure it’s well worth the trade.

Common Sense

This is really what quite a few incidents boil down to. If you’re aware of your surroundings, know how to interpret marine signage and bouys, and keep yourself unimpaired by alcohol or drugs, you’ve already decreased the odds of an accident occurring.

What Do I Do If I Am Involved in a Boating Accident?

When an accident happens, there are 5 key steps to take.

Stop Your Boat

In the event of a boat accident, the first action required of a boat operator is to stop at the scene and assess the situation. What damage has occurred to your vessel, or to the other vessel involved? Are passengers hurt or in need of immediate assistance?

Assist Passengers

If passengers have fallen into the water, hit their heads, or otherwise have serious injuries, be sure to provide first aid. It’s important that you and all involved act quickly to help one another as much as possible.

Wearing life jackets (or keeping them easily accessible) and following other safety recommendations saves lives in these situations. For the past two decades, falling overboard has been the leading type of boating-related fatal accident, with drowning as the leading cause of death. For 9 out of 10 drownings, the victims were not wearing a lifejacket.

Being proactive and ensuring that all safety precautions are taken will only benefit you and your passengers.

If there are no individuals in need of immediate help, move your boat out of the way of oncoming vessels. If you’re able to do so, drop anchor so you can focus on the next few steps.

Call for Help

This isn’t necessary 100% of the time, but certainly is if there are injuries or any type of damage to your vessel. You’ll be grateful you invested in a VHF radio.

Share Insurance Information

It’s important to get the names and contact information of as many people as possible. Get this information from:

• The other boat operator
• All passengers on both boats
• Any eyewitnesses

In addition, you’ll want the registration or ID number of the other vessel, the other boater’s insurance company name, and their policy number.

You’ll also want to take notes about how, when, and where the accident occured. Take photos of both boats and any damage either may have sustained.

Notify & Report

In nearly every accident, you’ll want to notify your insurance company. However, you may want to report the accident to the Coast Guard as well. Doing so allows them to collect data on boating accidents, understand how the accident occurred, and respond accordingly.

You're required to report the accident to the Coast Guard in the following situations:

• If a fatality has occurred, or a person is missing.
• If there is an injury requiring more than simple first aid. This includes injuries that may not initially seem serious, like head, neck, and back injuries.
• If there is property damage exceeding $2,000, or if any vessel has been destroyed.

Injuries to the head, neck, or back can be particularly serious. For accidents resulting in these injuries, a report must be made within 48 hours. If no injuries occurred, but property damage has, you will have 10 days to file the report.

We hope you never need to use this information, but PartsVu is here to help keep you safe if the worst occurs. Safe boating!