Louisville Personal Injury Lawyer - boating safety

The Basics on Boating Safety Equipment and Regulations

Karl Truman — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:30:25 GMT

While boating is one of the most enjoyable family activities, being in open water comes with its own rules of etiquette and laws. These rules and regulations make boating fun and enjoyable for everyone and help to ensure the safety of those sharing the waters.

Before leaving the dock, boaters should check their safety equipment to ensure that it is in proper working order. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary requires that each boat have:

Life jackets
Registration and numbering
Navigation lights
Ventilation
Fire extinguishers
Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
Battery cover and connections

These items are mandatory and must be in working condition. One of the best ways to avoid getting a ticket for faulty equipment and/or failure to satisfy the minimum safety requirements is to have the United States Coast Guard inspect the boat. The Vessel Safety Check program is co-sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons. These checks are free and many local marinas will have the closet contact information.

While out in the waters, boating etiquette dictates that boaters are responsible for their own wakes and any damages it causes. When approaching a boat towing an individual behind it, that boat has the right of way and all others must yield. This prevents another wake from interfering with the person being towed. It also helps to ensure that individual will not be run over by another boat, should he or she fall.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife- Law Enforcement Division provides that boaters and persons operating a Personal Watercraft that are towing another individual must have someone else on board who is at least 12 years of age or older supervising the individual being towed. In the absence of such a person, the boat or personal watercraft must have a mirror with a minimum of a 160 degree field of vision.

Kentucky law prohibits Operating Under the Influence (OPI) and has become more stringent throughout the years. In Kentucky, a person operating a boat with Blood Alcohol Content of .08% is considered boating under the influence. It is also prohibited to drink in Kentucky public waterways. Not only does this help reduce boating accidents and fatalities, it helps to ensure a safe and family friendly environment.

Although boating brings with it a lot of responsibility, most can agree that it’s well worth the reward. When boaters act responsibility and take the necessary precautions to help ensure the safety of passengers and of those sharing the waterways, it makes boating great activity for everyone.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Karl Truman

The Basics on Life Jackets

Karl Truman — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:10:48 GMT

Now that summer is upon us, checking our boats to ensure we have the proper equipment for our passengers is a must. Many of us have heard the term Personal Flotation Device (PFD), also known as a life jacket. While most of us are aware of its importance, few people know the standard requirements for a personal floatation devices or that there are different types.

All life jackets onboard a motorboat must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard requires that there be one life jacket on board for each person on the vessel. These PFDs must be easily accessible, meaning that a reasonable person must be able to reach the life jacket and put it on within a reasonable amount of time in the case of an emergency (sinking boat, fire, etc.).

This means that PFDs should not be locked in cabin compartments or have geared stowed on top of them. Furthermore, life jackets should not be tied in plastic bags since this may hinder people from accessing them during an emergency.

All persons on a personal watercraft, such as a jet ski, must wear a PFD . The same applies to persons being towed behind a motorboat (for example: jet skiing or tubing).

There are 5 types of life jackets; they are labeled types I-V. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources provides some helpful information in distinguishing between the types of PFDs available:

Type I is an Offshore Life Jacket which is designed for rough waters and is commonly used in instances where rescue is not immediately anticipated.

Type II is the opposite of Type I PDFs. These are called Near-Shore Vest, which are best used in calm waters when fast rescue is likely.

Type III life jackets are called full-sleeved jackets and are good for calm waters. They are not recommended for rough waters since most will not turn unconscious persons facing an upwards position.

Type IV floatation devices are not wearable, but rather for throwing to stranded persons in the water.

Type V is commonly called a Special-Use Device. They are often designed for a specific use such as wind surfing or jet-skiing.

It is important for individuals shopping for life jackets to check the labels on all life jackets they wish to purchase to ensure it meets the approval of the U.S. Coast Guard and is designed for their saftey needs.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Karl Truman

Boating Safety Tips for the Summer

Karl Truman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:46:50 GMT

Now that summer is here many families and friends will be taking out their boats and heading down to the waters. While boating is a great summertime activity, there are certain precautions one must to take to ensure the safety of everyone on board and to ensure the safety of those sharing the waters.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources reported in August 2008 that last summer’s boating season resulted in the deaths of 5 individuals-the lowest in 5 years. This is a significant drop from 2007, in which 13 people lost their lives due to boating accidents.

In an effort to continue this decreasing trend in fatalities, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources provides some helpful tips to keep families safe.

For example, persons must be 12 years of age or older in order to operate a motor boat or any personal watercraft that has 10 horse power or higher.

In addition, children from the ages of 12-17 must carry a Kentucky Safe Boating Certificate Card or in the alternative, have a certificate showing completion of a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) boater education course.

In the absence of a certificate indicating completion of such a course, persons 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. This requirement includes not only motorboats, but personal watercrafts as well.

All children 12 years of age or under must wear a lifejacket if they are seated in an open portion of the boat that is in motion.

It is important to note that regardless of age, everyone should wear a life jacket and educate themselves on boater safety. The best way to accomplish this is to complete a boater safety course similar to those provided by the United States Power Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Karl Truman