What To Do If You’re In A Boating Accident

No one wants to get into a boating accident. And to be sure, taking the right precautions can minimize the risk of getting into one. Unfortunately, even for boaters who do everything right—such as carefully monitoring weather conditions and navigational aids, maintaining safe cruising speeds, and keeping a lookout for hazards—mishaps can happen.

How often? The most recent U.S. Coast Guard data shows that nearly 4,500 recreational boat accidents were reported in 2016; the number has been rising since 2013. Accidents run the gamut from minor scrapes to real disasters. But no matter the incident’s severity, says Charles Fort, Associate Editor at BoatU.S. Magazine, boaters who have an accident should follow the same procedure.

Here are the steps he recommends.

Get GEICO Boat insurance.

1. Make Sure Your Passengers Are Safe

Your first priorities should be making sure no one has fallen overboard and taking stock of any injuries—including your own. You should also be sure everyone aboard is wearing a life jacket (here’s how to choose the right life jacket), especially if the boat appears to have been damaged. If possible, drop anchor; that will let you focus on the needs of your crew and make sure you don’t drift into more trouble.

2. Call For Help

If you have cell reception, call 911; if you’re using a VHF radio, make a distress call on channel 16. Either one of these actions will allow the nearest emergency service providers—the Coast Guard, local marine police or fire department—to mobilize and come to your aid. Radio calls have an added advantage: They’ll be heard by other boaters who may be nearby and are able to assist you.

3. Gather Information

If the accident involves another boat, take down the contact and insurance information of the boat’s operator, as well as the boat’s make, model and registration number. Note the time and place that the accident occurred; if possible, take photos of both boats, the location, and any damages incurred in the accident. If there were any eyewitnesses to the accident, try to get their contact information, too. Even if you didn’t call emergency services, you must file an accident report with state or federal law-enforcement agencies if someone was injured or if accident-related damages total more than $2,000.

4. Notify Your Insurance Company

As soon as you and your crew are safely ashore, inform your insurance company of the accident. Provide as many details as possible and send in any photos you’ve taken, as well as a copy of any police reports that were filed. Even when the damage appears to be minor, be sure to follow up with an inspection and, if necessary, repairs.

Two more things to know before you set sail: You can help protect your vessel with boat insurance from GEICO and add towing coverage to give you peace of mind.

Read more: The Complete Guide To Boat Maintenance

Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms

  1. Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:

    Coursera partners with universities and organizations worldwide to offer a wide range of courses. While many courses are free, a fee is often required for certification.

  2. Free Online Education Degrees: edX:

    Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX offers high-quality courses from top universities and institutions around the world. Certificates are available for a fee.

  3. Free Online Education Degrees : Khan Academy:

    Khan Academy provides free educational content in various subjects, especially mathematics and science, using instructional videos and practice exercises.

  4. Free Online Education Degrees : Udacity:

    Udacity focuses on tech-related courses and nanodegree programs, offering free content as well as more in-depth paid programs.

  5. Free Online Education Degrees : MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW):

    MIT OCW provides a vast array of MIT's course content for free, covering a wide range of disciplines.

  6. Free Online Education Degrees : Harvard Extension School:

    Harvard Extension School offers a selection of free online courses. While some courses are free, others may require payment for a certificate.

  7. Free Online Education Degrees: Stanford Online:

    Stanford Online offers a variety of free courses in different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and business.

  8. Best Free Online Courses : Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI):

    OLI offers free online courses and resources designed to improve learning outcomes through research-based methodologies.

  9. Best Free Online Courses : FutureLearn:

    FutureLearn partners with universities and institutions to offer a diverse range of free online courses. Certificates are available for a fee.

  10. Best Free Online Courses: Alison:

    Alison offers a wide range of free online courses, including diploma and certificate programs, covering various subjects.

  11. Best Free Online Courses: Open Yale Courses:

    Yale University provides free access to a selection of introductory courses through Open Yale Courses.

  12. Best Free Online Courses : UC Berkeley Online:

    UC Berkeley offers free online courses on a variety of subjects, ranging from computer science to humanities.

  13. Best Free Online Courses : Google Digital Garage:

    Google Digital Garage provides free courses on digital skills, including online marketing, data analysis, and more.

  14. Best Free Online Courses : Codecademy:

    Codecademy offers free coding courses, interactive exercises, and coding projects to help individuals learn programming languages.

  15. Best Free Online Courses : LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com):

    LinkedIn Learning provides a variety of video courses on professional development, technology, and creative skills. It offers a free trial period.

Related Posts: