A young boy was hailed as a hero for his efforts in saving his family after a boating accident. WBTV has the remarkable story. The young boy’s name is Chase Poust. The seven-year-old went out with his father and his four-year-old sister to fish on St. John’s River. The boat was anchored in the river…
There is plenty of room on the water in Florida, despite the popularity of boating. This means that boating accidents are usually the result of bad drivers, broken safety rules, or faulty equipment. The results often lead to drowning.
The stories on this page talk about local incidents of boating accidents. All sources for these stories are cited in the article. We share these stories to educate the public about what can go wrong while your boating so you can take steps to avoid an accident.
Most boaters do not require a license to drive one. However, there are safe boating rules that all drivers should know so they can operate safely with other boats, especially in crowded waterways. These do not take much time to learn for recreational boating.
You should also learn how to control your watercraft’s speed and direction just like you would a car. There are no brakes on a boat, only a removal of thrust. Know how long it takes for your boat to slow down and the safe turn radius of your boat.
Safe boating also needs safety equipment like personal flotation devices. Wear these at all times on the water. They save lives just like bicycle helmets do. They may be bulky but they work. Flags are also a good idea to notify other boaters of swimmers and divers, as well as to signal when you might need a tow back to shore for a repair.
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, call Chalik Law to talk about your situation. We may be able to get you compensation if another boater hit you.
Pontoon Boat Driver Dies After Crashing Into Cape Coral Dock
If crash statistics for Florida boating crashes hold steady, there are about two accidents every day of the year. Sadly, this crash ended in the death of the operator. Fox 4 Now reported on the tragic incident. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who is responsible for investigating many boating crashes, got a report…
Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers Share Advice Before The Holiday
There are nearly 1 million registered vessels in Florida, and that means a lot of chances for a crash this Memorial Day weekend. WPTV and Florida Fish and Wildlife want to share some safety tips for being out on the water. Last year, there were 836 boat crashes, a 16% increase over the year before….
Victim In Holy Cross Crash Sues School And Coach
Florida is one of a handful of states that still has “no fault” statutes on the books when it comes to automobile accidents. Basically, what this means is that every motorist is required to cover a minimum amount of personal injury protection insurance in the event of an accident. This covers lost wages and medical…
A Man Died In A Boating Collision Near Star Island
Florida is one of the top states when it comes to recreational boating. The state boasts numerous lakes, rivers, and coastal areas that are popular with boaters, both commercial and recreational. One key indicator in boating safety is the fatality rate, which is usually reported by individual states to the U.S. Coast Guard. In 2016,…
Newlywed Killed in Wave Runner Accident off the Keys
Jet skis are a popular recreational vehicle commonly used in lakes and oceans across the United States. Jet skis, also called personal watercrafts (PWC), may be fun, but they can also be deadly. The rise of PWC rentals along beaches and lakes has made the vessels highly popular and with this comes people who are…
Confusion About Flags Leads to Boat Hitting Snorkler and Severing His Arm
In 2014, Florida boating regulations changed their requirements for how divers notify vessels they are in an area. The legislation was passed as a means of increasing diver visibility. The previous law required only a “divers down flag” and divers had to stay within a certain range of the flags. Now, divers who are diving…
Boating Death Deemed Accident Due to Alcohol Consumption, Speeding
Florida has the highest number of recreational boats registered per capita in the United States. Because of this, they have developed a number of laws to keep boaters safe. These laws include carrying identification while operating a vessel. People born on or after January 1, 1988 must complete a NASBLA-approved voter education course prior to…
Florida Leads Nation in Boating Accidents According to Coast Guard
Florida is geographically located so that it separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean. This makes Florida a particularly popular haven for those who enjoy boating. Florida ranks behind Michigan and California in terms of the number of boats registered in the state. When it comes to boating rules, some are similar to…
Boater May Face Vessel Homicide Charges After Propeller Death
Just like Florida has vehicular homicide charges, the state also has what they call vessel homicide. In Florida, a vessel is a commercial or non-commercial boat or aircraft. Vessel homicide is causing the death of another person by operating a vessel in a manner that was reckless and likely to result in great bodily harm…
Arrest For Leaving The Scene of a Fatal Boating Accident
In Florida, boating accidents are treated much like car accidents. After a boating accident, the operator of the vessel must stop his vessel immediately, unless it would put the vessel, operator, or passengers in danger. They must also render aid to those who might be injured. They must also exchange information with the owner of…
Boating Accidents in Florida Are Down From Last Year
According to Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism organization, the Sunshine State set a record for tourism in 2018. The state welcomed 126.1 million out-of-state visitors last year, exceeding the previous year’s record of 118.8 million visitors. According to records, 10.8 million of those visitors were from overseas, while another 3.5 million were from Canada….
One Person Still Missing After Boating Accident Which Killed 2 Others
Boating is a fun way that many Floridians and tourists spend recreational time doing. From fishing to pleasure boating, it’s a popular past time, but it can also be very dangerous. In 2017, Florida had a total of 766 boating accidents, 52 more accidents than 2016. 261 of these accidents involved collisions where inattention by…
