Boating Accidents... Their Causes
Causes of Boating Accidents
According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics,* the top ten known primary contributing factors of boating accidents in 2023 were:
Cause Number of Accidents (1) Operator inattention 586 (2) Improper lookout 421 (3) Operator inexperience 414 (4) Excessive speed 299 (5) Machinery failure 291 (6) Navigation rules violation 210 (7) Alcohol 211 (8) Weather 181 (9) Hazardous waters 176 (10) Force of wake/wave 134
One might say that a boating accident is just that... an "accident." But looking at some of these contributing factors, it also becomes evident that a vessel operator has more control over some factors than others. In terms of an accident induced by a machinery breakdown, maybe one never knows when an engine belt will fail or an injector will get clogged with debris. However, attorneys have argued this point either way, in that a mechanical failure was foreseeable or preventable. Insurance company attorneys dealing with boating accidents know this legal territory well if they're experienced in defending "wear and tear" lawsuits.
But there are things clearly within the control of the boat operator, factors such as alchohol or excessive speed are clearly within control. Weather and sea conditions is another one of those factors that could be argued in different ways, depending on the quality of meteorological resources available.
Inexperience is a catch-all that could cover considerable territory, whether it includes a novice jet-skier who doesn't have the experience to realize that cutting the throttle can kill steering control. Sadly, this automatic and intutive response has been a factor in many jet-ski accidents. There's a natural inclination to reduce speed when faced with an obstacle or danger. Experienced jet-skiers know better. The factor of inexperience could also include the boat operator not having a basic grasp of navigation rules, resulting in not knowing which vessel in an approaching setting must give right-of-way. * Boating Accident Statistics 2023 - U.S. Coast Guard
Cause Number of Accidents (1) Operator inattention 586 (2) Improper lookout 421 (3) Operator inexperience 414 (4) Excessive speed 299 (5) Machinery failure 291 (6) Navigation rules violation 210 (7) Alcohol 211 (8) Weather 181 (9) Hazardous waters 176 (10) Force of wake/wave 134
One might say that a boating accident is just that... an "accident." But looking at some of these contributing factors, it also becomes evident that a vessel operator has more control over some factors than others. In terms of an accident induced by a machinery breakdown, maybe one never knows when an engine belt will fail or an injector will get clogged with debris. However, attorneys have argued this point either way, in that a mechanical failure was foreseeable or preventable. Insurance company attorneys dealing with boating accidents know this legal territory well if they're experienced in defending "wear and tear" lawsuits.
But there are things clearly within the control of the boat operator, factors such as alchohol or excessive speed are clearly within control. Weather and sea conditions is another one of those factors that could be argued in different ways, depending on the quality of meteorological resources available.
Inexperience is a catch-all that could cover considerable territory, whether it includes a novice jet-skier who doesn't have the experience to realize that cutting the throttle can kill steering control. Sadly, this automatic and intutive response has been a factor in many jet-ski accidents. There's a natural inclination to reduce speed when faced with an obstacle or danger. Experienced jet-skiers know better. The factor of inexperience could also include the boat operator not having a basic grasp of navigation rules, resulting in not knowing which vessel in an approaching setting must give right-of-way. * Boating Accident Statistics 2023 - U.S. Coast Guard