Boat Accidents

North Carolina provides many recreational opportunities. In the summertime, many North Carolinians take to the water. We have the opportunity to enjoy the ocean, sounds, lakes and rivers. Water sports include many water vessels such as jet skis, wave runners (known as personal water crafts or PWC), ski boats, pontoon boats and fishing boats. Water recreation includes swimming, water skiing, wake boarding, tubing and kiting.

The fun of the water sometimes makes us forget that whenever boaters are on the water, there is the potential for injury. When we drive, we follow the rules of the road. When we are on the water, we must follow the rules of the water. One primary water rule is to always go right when a watercraft approaches directly toward your vessel. If you are uncertain, slow the watercraft by easing off of the throttle.

Many recreational users cause collisions, particularly with PWCs, because of a lack of understanding of how a watercraft operates. A PWC can only be steered when the throttle is engaged. Since there is no rudder on a PWC you cannot change directions unless you also give the vehicle the gas. There are no brakes on a PWC.

Just like in automobiles, the most serious injuries with watercraft involve intoxication. It is illegal to operate a boat while intoxicated. Most other boating accidents occur by running aground, colliding with other floating objects, colliding with piers or docks, skier collisions, capsizing, falling out of the boat and being struck by the propeller of a motor.

The North Carolina Rules for Boating have recently changed. If you are under the age of 25, you need to complete a boating safety course. The course locations can be located online at www.ncwildlife.org.