Thursday, September 10, 2009
|
The deaths of six people in three separate boating-related accidents in Florida during the Labor Day weekend are a stark reminder that the need to practice safe boating is as critical as ever.
Three people died Friday night when two vessels collided near Brooks Bridge at Fort Walton Beach. Two of the victims were from Alabama, the other from Texas. On Saturday, three others died, including a father and son from Tequesta who were bass fishing in Lake Okeechobee. Later in the day, an Alabama man died after the family fishing boat capsized in the Gulf of Mexico off Indian Pass in Gulf County.
"It's quite likely that not one of those who died this past weekend ever thought something like that would happen to them," said Capt. Richard Moore of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement. "Too many people who enjoy boating in Florida think the same thing."
Although the causes vary, many of Florida's boating accidents involve a collision with another vessel or object, such as a bridge piling, navigation buoy or even the shoreline. The FWC's boating safety staff say boat operators must maintain 360-degree situational awareness to avoid dangerous and potentially deadly situations. Passengers can help by alerting the operator to anything that might be in the path of their boat.
If there is one thing boaters can do to make themselves more safe, it's wearing a life jacket. An estimated 60 percent of all people who die in boating accidents would have survived if they wore a life jacket.
No one on any of the boats involved in the three incidents over the weekend wore a life jacket.
A variety of life jackets are available to boaters, including newer styles of inflatable models that are much smaller, lighter and more comfortable to wear than traditional vest life jackets. One new style, the belt pack, goes around the waist. A suspender style also is available. Some of these models activate automatically if the wearer falls into the water. Under the laws of most states, the inflatable models must be worn to count as a life jacket. In other words, just having them in the boat is not enough.
"There isn't a better place to enjoy boating than here in Florida, and we get to enjoy the water year round," Moore said. "But, something that much fun can quickly turn to tragedy if we let our guard down."
During Florida's Labor Day holiday weekend in 2008, no lives were lost in boating accidents. So far in 2009, Florida has lost 52 people in boating accidents, and probably all of those could have been prevented, Moore said.
Three people died Friday night when two vessels collided near Brooks Bridge at Fort Walton Beach. Two of the victims were from Alabama, the other from Texas. On Saturday, three others died, including a father and son from Tequesta who were bass fishing in Lake Okeechobee. Later in the day, an Alabama man died after the family fishing boat capsized in the Gulf of Mexico off Indian Pass in Gulf County.
"It's quite likely that not one of those who died this past weekend ever thought something like that would happen to them," said Capt. Richard Moore of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement. "Too many people who enjoy boating in Florida think the same thing."
Although the causes vary, many of Florida's boating accidents involve a collision with another vessel or object, such as a bridge piling, navigation buoy or even the shoreline. The FWC's boating safety staff say boat operators must maintain 360-degree situational awareness to avoid dangerous and potentially deadly situations. Passengers can help by alerting the operator to anything that might be in the path of their boat.
If there is one thing boaters can do to make themselves more safe, it's wearing a life jacket. An estimated 60 percent of all people who die in boating accidents would have survived if they wore a life jacket.
No one on any of the boats involved in the three incidents over the weekend wore a life jacket.
A variety of life jackets are available to boaters, including newer styles of inflatable models that are much smaller, lighter and more comfortable to wear than traditional vest life jackets. One new style, the belt pack, goes around the waist. A suspender style also is available. Some of these models activate automatically if the wearer falls into the water. Under the laws of most states, the inflatable models must be worn to count as a life jacket. In other words, just having them in the boat is not enough.
"There isn't a better place to enjoy boating than here in Florida, and we get to enjoy the water year round," Moore said. "But, something that much fun can quickly turn to tragedy if we let our guard down."
During Florida's Labor Day holiday weekend in 2008, no lives were lost in boating accidents. So far in 2009, Florida has lost 52 people in boating accidents, and probably all of those could have been prevented, Moore said.
Contact:
Capt. Richard Moore 850-488-5600
Capt. Richard Moore 850-488-5600
THE OUTDOOR WIRE DIGITAL NETWORK >
FISHING WIRE :
SHOOTING WIRE :
TACTICAL WIRE :
DEALER WIRE :
WOMEN'S OUTDOOR WIRE
© Copyright 2012 The Outdoor Wire. All Rights Reserved.