A lot of people in Florida die or get injured or remain unfound due to boat accidents every year. Despite having sufficient safety and rescue facilities, people rarely survive these accidents. However, what is the leading cause of death in boating accidents in Florida?
Drowning is the top leading cause of boat accidents according to the statistics. Along with the mechanical failure, inexperienced boating is highly responsible for these accidents. Sometimes, an overloaded boat becomes a threat to the riders. There is also the effect of rough weather to cause these devastating accidents.
If some concerned steps can be followed strictly, the accidents can be reduced a lot. Avoiding a faulty boat and hiring an experienced boatman are wise moves. Besides, the swimming skill can prevent the death rate in boat accidents.
What is The Leading Cause of Death in Boating Accidents in Florida?
It’s time to know “what is the leading cause of death in boating accidents in Florida?”. There are some prime causes behind boat accidents in Florida. Here you’ll get introduced to all the commonest leading causes in detail.
Inexperienced Boating
Florida’s rule doesn’t allow people under 14 to run boats anyhow. As a part of safety, all the boatmen must pass a boating safety education class. Despite following these strict rules, newbies may get perplexed to make the right decision in times of danger. Operating the boat inappropriately without maintaining the wave direction is one of the top accident reasons.
Unwanted Weather
The most unpredictable factor of boat accidents in Florida is the weather. Even after seeing the sky clear, rain may start after starting to sail. The boats become difficult to control in the rainy situation. Even the boats start to oscillate terrifically and people get knocked out.
Malfunction in mechanical parts
The mechanical malfunction of the boat risks the rider’s life along with the sailor. It mainly happens for two reasons. The first reason is the lack of maintenance and checking before sailing. If the components are faulty and expired, it may also create a mechanical problem on the water. In this circumstance, along with losing control, the boat may flip just within a moment.
Overloading Riders
There are limitations for taking the maximum number of people in the specific boats. Sometimes, a lot of people get over a boat to have some fun or hang out. This tremendous action led the boat to sink rapidly. In addition, having excessive foot traffic at one corner of the boat also causes the overloading issue.
Excessive Speed
Have fun by crossing the restricted speed limit of the U.S coast guard? Then be assured that your boat will face an unwanted situation very soon. Depending on various models, the boat’s speed should stay between 25-35 MPH.
An additional speed also causes a collision and flip while turning the boat unconsciously.
Collision with an Object
Collision is a rare incident of boat accidents in Florida state. It happens most often for bad control and excessive speed. Lack of knowledge and improper ideas about the object’s location are the prime reasons for collision. The collision completely damages the boat and leads riders to spot death.
Taking Alcohol
Never think about operating a boat by being drunk. It’s illegal according to the law of Florida state. Alcohol is highly sedative and it disables the ability to make sudden decisions. So, a drunk boat operator is a great threat to the boat and riders.
Flooding Issue
When you’re in the deep portion of water, the boat gets some water unwillingly. Due to the presence of water, the boat tends to drown. If the water can’t be disposed of timely, the boat will drown for sure. Some advanced models of boats can dispose of water on their own.
Drowning due to Lack of Swimming Experience
Having good swimming skills can hold your breath for a few more minutes. Most of the people get drowned before arriving at the rescue team of Florida. As a result, the divers can collect their dead bodies only instead of protecting them. If a rider has a minimum swimming skill, he or she can at least change the position conveniently.
Preventive Measurements
Some pragmatic steps can reduce the chance of boat accidents. Even if accidents happen, people can at least survive if they follow the depicted instructions.
Preventing Capsizing
- Taking alcohol should be stopped before riding in boats. If you’re drunk, you can’t swim precisely and wait till reaching the rescue team.
- Consciousness should be spread more loudly about drinking alcohol. It’s one of the prime reasons for capsizing.
- The law enforcement authorities should bring more dedicated punishment.
Following the Sailing Manners
- Never accelerate the boat crossing the suggested speed limit of authority.
- Decrease the speed while making a quick turn.
- Check the machines carefully before starting a ride. Also, take care of the mechanical parts regularly.
- Never think about making a race with another boat.
- Stop thinking about entering risky areas just for receiving some thrills.
No Outing on a Cloudy Day
- Observe the weather conditions and avoid rainy days.
- Rely on the local weather reports.
- Never move in the deep areas so that you can return to the beach immediately.
Keeping Safety Materials on The Boat
- Keep throwable flotation devices inside the boat according to the maximum number of the rider.
- Never start a ride without taking life jackets.
- Take visual signal devices to make the rescue process quicker
Developing The Swimming Skill
- If you’re a newbie to swimming, learn it perfectly.
- Hence, dive into the deep water regularly. Keep your muscles active and stay mentally strong to face this kind of situation.
FAQ
This section reveals some popular questions on boat accidents in Florida along with their relevant answers.
What is the leading cause of death in boating accidents in Florida Boat Ed?
Drowning is considered as the leading cause of death in boating accidents in Florida boat Ed. 53% of deaths in fatal boating accidents occur for lack of swimming experience. A large number of people in Florida don’t even know how to swim.
What is the number one cause of boating deaths?
Having aloofness in wearing life jackets is the number one cause of boating deaths. Wearing life jackets helps to float the victims until the rescue team arrives. The boat accidents also take place for capsizing, swamping, and many more reasons.
Which is the major cause of fatalities in small boats?
Boat capsizing and falls overboard are the major causes of fatalities in small boats. According to the U.S coast guard, 85% of people never use life jackets before boat riding. As a result, the boat faces an unwanted situation and the riders lead to death.
What type of boating emergency causes the most fatalities?
Collision with an object and the crew-overboard incidents are responsible for the most fatalities. The boats with a kind of hurry have excessive speed. And it’s difficult to control the exact direction with an excessive speed. As a result, the collision takes place and people die every year in Florida.
Conclusion
Boating accidents in Florida come with terrible statistics. A small number of people survive in these accidents for having excellent swimming skills. The rest of them drown just after a certain time. So, What is the leading cause of death in boating accidents in Florida?
More specifically, the reasons vary depending on the surroundings and the boat’s condition. Also, the less experience of sailing and unconsciousness makes the accidents unavoidable. If you’re intended to sail in tough weather, you may face a terrible day.
To prevent accidents, the safe operation of the boat is the priority. Design the boat with sufficient safety backup before going for a deep part of the ocean or river. Once you’re approved by the state government, then think about carrying passengers. Otherwise, you along with the fellow riders may get placed at death statistics of boat accidents in Florida.