If you plan on taking your boat out this Fourth of July, you are understandably excited to enjoy the beautiful weather, nice breeze, and time on the water with your friends and family. However, there are various safety precautions you must take before you do. If you are a boat owner, you are responsible for your safety and the safety of others. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding boat safety:
What should I look for when inspecting my boat?
Owning a boat is a huge responsibility, and not surprisingly, it contains large amounts of working parts. This is why you need to ensure everything is in pristine condition before taking your boat out on the water. Here are some of the things you should look for:
- Any signs of blade pitting should be immediately addressed
- If the boat is in the water, make sure the vessel is not taking on water
- Check for scrapes on the hull
- Ensure the through-hull connections are not leaking
- Closely check the transom, cockpit, gunwales, and the outer edge of the bow
- Always keep working flares on board in case of an emergency
- Make sure the anchor is firmly attached to the boat and has enough length of ground tackle
- Always keep an operating manual for the boat radio and engine on board
- Ensure you have all other necessary safety equipment on board such as: fire extinguishers, personal flotation devices, ventilation, backfire flame arrestor, sound-producing devices, and marine sanitation devices
- Some of the documents you must have with you are: accident report forms, owner contact information, an updated registration decal, marine towing membership card, Certificate of Number, and vessel registration
It is important you take all the necessary safety precautions before setting out. The Fourth of July is a day of fun for all, and if you are taking your friends and family out on your boat, it is your responsibility to ensure it stays that way. Boating accidents are nasty, and usually leave people seriously injured. If you take all the necessary safety precautions, you greatly increase your chances of having a safe Fourth of July.
What happens if I am injured in a boating accident?
If you are injured in a boating accident, you must first ask yourself if the injuries you sustained were due to another party’s negligence. In order to prove another party’s negligence, you must satisfy the burden of proof, which holds the other party accountable beyond a reasonable doubt. This is why you should take pictures or video of the incident if at all possible. It may also help to get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the incident and would verify your claim. After the incident, it is important you receive medical treatment immediately–not only for your health, but also for the medical documents you will receive. These documents may also help you recover the compensation you deserve. If you believe you are entitled to compensation, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our experienced attorneys.
Contact our Maryland firm
The legal team at Markey & Orsi has proudly represented clients who have been injured throughout the state of Maryland due to the negligence of another party for nearly 30 years. If you require strong legal representation, contact Markey & Orsi today to schedule a consultation.
