It’s peak boating season here in Florida, which means the waterways are crowded with more people than at any other time of the year. But it’s not just recreational boaters who are out on the water; there are plenty of people swimming offshore and participating in other water-based activities.
It is critical, then, that everyone who takes the waterways remains focused and vigilant so they can avoid causing an accident. Swimmers are not nearly as visible as boaters!
As an example of how important this is: there was a recent incident in California in which rescuers had to respond to reports of a boat running over a man swimming in Tomales Bay. The injured swimmer had to be transported via helicopter to a nearby hospital and receive treatment from a trauma team.
This could happen anywhere along the Florida coasts. Some of the ways boaters can help:
-
Be aware of your surroundings: As you operate your boat, consider whether you are in an area where there are likely to be swimmers, and keep a close eye on the waters around you.
-
Reduce speed: Avoid operating the boat at too high a rate of speed, especially in shallower, more crowded areas where there are likely to be a lot of other people using the waterway.
-
Stay sober: Never operate a boat while drinking alcohol or under the influence of substances.
These are just a few examples of some of the ways boaters can contribute to making the waterways safer for everyone. For more information, contact an experienced Bradenton, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.