How to Avoid a Collision When Operating a Boat in Busy Waters

On a nice day, you might have the idea to go boating on nearby water. Depending on the size of the lake or river, it could quickly get crowded if other people have the same idea. Busy waters can easily become dangerous for boaters because they have to navigate through other boats as well as potentially rougher waters from all of the other movement. Even if you’re a skilled boater, you could still use some tips and refreshers on how to avoid a collision when operating a boat in busy waters.

Boating accidents can be devastating. After a wreck that wasn’t your fault, you could use legal support to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions and your injuries. Biloxi personal injury lawyer Corban Gunn will fight for your rights and make sure that you are compensated for your damages so that you can focus on healing.

Avoiding Boating Accidents

Nobody wants to get into a boating accident. When the waters are busy, boating accidents can harm even more people than normal. That’s why it’s important to know how to navigate busy waters so that you can avoid a collision as best as possible. If you’re an inexperienced boater, you might not want to venture into busy waters because they require extreme caution, vigilance, and experience to navigate safely.

If you must go into busy waters, here are some of the best ways to avoid a boating accident, according to the Boat U.S. Foundation:

• Know where you are. Before you can avoid other boats, you need to know your own location first. Before even setting out on your boat, double check that you have a working GPS, up-to-date chart, and a compass. Even if you know the water well, situations like bad weather can suddenly reroute you to new spots and put you into danger. Being prepared and knowing where you are can help you avoid an accident.
• Be observant. Not only do you want to look out for other boaters and people on the water, but you’ll also need to be observant of the water itself. Pay attention to the tides, the buoys, and if the waves are rough or choppy. Keep your crew informed of what to look for as well so you are all able to remain vigilant to avoid an accident or a collision with another boat.
• Be careful and prepared. Consult your safety checklist, check the weather forecast, and check you have enough life vests on board before you even leave the dock so you know you’re prepared for almost anything. Consider everything that could go wrong and how you would react so that if something does happen, you already know how to handle it. On the water, don’t drive the boat recklessly or negligently, like speeding or distracted driving—driving with caution is the best way to avoid an accident, especially a collision with another boat.
• Never drink and drive. Even though you want to have fun with your friends out on the water, if you are the person driving the boat, it is illegal to drink and drive. The Alcohol Boating Safety Act makes driving a boat under the influence illegal in Mississippi. Driving your boat while impaired can easily lead to an accident, especially in busy waters.

What to Do After a Boating Accident

No matter how hard you try to avoid an accident, sometimes they happen anyway. In the event of a boat wreck, it’s important that you remain calm so you can think clearly and help anybody injured or overboard as best as possible. If you get into a boating accident, here’s what you should do:

• Stop the boat.
• Count how many passengers are overboard.
• Throw a flotation device to anyone without a life vest on.
• Try to get them back on board.
• Report the accident.
• Seek medical attention.
• Hire a boating injury lawyer.

If a boating accident in Mississippi wasn’t your fault and it directly caused you to be injured, then you shouldn’t have to handle the medical bills alone. Corban Gunn, Attorney at Law will ensure that the liable party will be held responsible for their negligent or reckless actions that injured you and get compensation for the damage they caused. We know how hard recovery can be. Reach out to us today so that we can get started on helping you financially recover while you focus on your physical and emotional health.