Boat Safety Experts Share Tips As Water Accident Numbers Raise
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Summer boats bring great joy to most people, but one expert shared a large amount of resources Boats to keep you safe And avoid tragedy as the numbers of water accidents rise.
Colonel Jeff Farlinger was a 50-year career law enforcement officer working in upstate New York, and he was a SWAT officer and a leading criminal detective. He joined the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, where he was part of the sheriff’s dive team. He is approved US Coast Guard Boat captain and boat safety expert.
“One of the most common dangerous things I’ve seen in the water in my experience is that people are not trained,” Farlinger told Fox News Digital.
On Saturday, September 5th, 2020, people gather at a boat anchored in Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois, USA. (Taylor Guscock/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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“For example, you see someone on a boat and have kids riding their bows with their feet hanging in front of the boat as they go down the river or load up the water. The basics that really mitigate the many accidents we see when they’re trained that is my big thing. ”
Coast Guard Boat Safety Department Statistics are maintained regarding recreational boat accidents, their causes, and subsequent injuries or deaths.
Boats are docked at the marina in Hilton Head, South Carolina. (William Reagan/Getty Images)
According to data from 2023, the most recent year available, the operators accounted for 414 boat accidents, resulting in 200 injuries and 44 deaths. Violation of the navigation rules accounted for 210 accidents, resulting in 214 injuries and 24 deaths.
Two Florida men were charged with breach in early June Coast Guard navigation rules Before their ship attacked and killed 15-year-old ballerina Ella Adler last year. Adler was wakeboarding at Key Biscayne at the time.
Speedboat life jacket. (istock)
Recently, sports fishing boats I hit the pier in Messchutt Beach, part of Suffolk County, New York. Four people were injured in the crash while investigating.
The Coast Guard counted 3,844 boat accidents that year, causing 564 deaths, 2,126 injuries and $63 million in property damage. The report states that 75% of the victims of fatal boat accidents died in their own death, with 88% of them not wearing a life jacket.
“Many of what we saw is careless, and many are based on people we don’t know,” Farlinger said. “The right kind of life jacket, I don’t know someone is pulling a child with a tube or wakeboard, and they don’t have spotters, they don’t find a quiet place, they’re running in an area with boat traffic. That’s just common sense that causes a lot of problems.”
Fahringer is a supporter of the safety checklist and says that all boaters should be completed before they hit open water.
“Try to look at the checklist and see everything you want to make sure your boat is functioning properly,” he said. “Just grab the habit of doing that, look through a small checklist every time you leave.
A fire engulfs the boat as they are seen diving into the waters of West Grand Bay Traverse Bay near Traverse City, Michigan. (Rino Greenwood/Local News X/TMX)
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He also provided some less obvious tips and safety training ideas that sailors may not consider.
“Many people rely on mobile phones, but it doesn’t always work, especially when going offshore,” Farlinger said. “VHF radio is really a must, and if you have a radio on your boat, get into the habit of turning it on, even if it’s defeated in the background.”
People are holding the American flag on July 4th. (Filippobacci/Getty Images)
VHF Radio Channel 16 is a universal dist channel. He said Marine authorities often hear and respond to calls on the channel prior to 911. This is especially useful when the boat is far from the coast.
“In many cases, you need to be your own first responder,” he said. That Channel 16 VHF Radio not only helps you to ask for help, but also can have someone who is literally suffering someone 200 yards away. And if you know what’s going on, you might become that person. ”
Getting first aid classes, or at least bleed stopping training, is invaluable even in situations where help is far away.
Four people were injured in a boat crash at Mesh Beach after hitting the pier. Respondents included Southampton Town PD, Coast Guard and NYS police. (LoudLabs NYC)
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Dangers can also be hidden under the water.
Farlinger warned him to stab sharp objects that could cause scuffs, liptides, scuffs and potentially harmful bacteria.
At the end of the day, Farlinger said that sailors should enjoy being on the water, but a bit of care is taken to ensure safety.