Boating in Alabama |
Posted: August 10, 2018 |
Hundreds of individuals partake in recreational boating every year in Alabama, but it’s important to stay-on-top of all the boating rules and regulations to ensure your safety when you decide to enjoy this exciting summertime activity. Many are shocked to learn that more people are killed in boating accidents each year than they are in incidents involving buses and trains. Following the laws, equipping yourself with safety gear and remaining vigilant about your fellow boaters will help ensure a safe, enjoyable boating outing. Alabama’s Boating Rules and RegulationsDespite the prevalence of recreational boating, the majority of states lack clear rules and regulations regarding boating. Many states do not even require boaters to take a safety course before operating one. Alabama is different. Alabama law requires each boat operator to obtain a license. In many ways, Alabama’s boating laws are parallel to laws that regulate safe motor vehicle passage. Boats are expected to keep to the right, grant the right-of-way to boats making turns and abide by all posted speed limits. It’s against the law to recklessly operate a boat, and boaters are expected to take their operating responsibilities seriously. Carelessness in boating operation is equated to endangerment of life. A reckless boater can be charged with homicide when their negligence unintentionally causes the death of another person. The Coast Guard’s analysis of 2016 boating statistics showed that the top two contributing factors that lead to an accident are operator inattention and operator inexperience. Their statistics highlight a disturbing trend. Around 77 percent of boating deaths happened on boats where the operator had never received any boating safety instruction. Only 13 percent of fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had received a boating safety education certificate. Reading up on boating safety can prevent tragedies, so it’s advisable to at least read up on safety tips before an outing. Boating under the influence is strictly prohibited. You will be considered boating under the influence when your blood alcohol level is 0.08 percent or higher. If you refuse to take a breathalyzer test when prompted by boating law officials, then you will suffer an automatic suspension of your boating license. Alcohol use is one of the leading contributing factors that result in boating accidents, so this issue is taken very seriously by law enforcement officials. A comprehensive list of Alabama’s boating rules can be found on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s webpage. Safety GearToo many Americans will forgo wearing a safety life jacket while boating because they are overconfident in their ability to swim. The Coast Guard reported that an overwhelming 80 percent of those killed in boating accidents had drowned. Statistics indicate that 83 percent of these individuals were not wearing a life jacket. Everyone in a boat must where a life vest, and violating this law will result in a $100 fine per person. It is crucial to have life vests aboard your boat and accessible in the event of an emergency. Younger children should wear a life vest anytime your vessel is in the water even when the child can swim independently. A simple slip overboard can turn fatal when younger children aren’t strapped with the appropriate gear. While wearing a life jacket is definitely not a fashion trend, it shouldn’t be something that recreational boaters ignore. Newer, more lightweight shoulder life packs are available for purchase for individuals who really dislike the bulky traditional life vests. These shoulder packs are simply put over the individual’s head. If the life vest is needed, then the user can easily pull a tab to initiate instant inflation. In addition to life jackets, boaters should carry other safety gear that can help them reach authorities in an emergency. Cell phones are a great tool that can be used to contact officials in an emergency, but they can quickly be damaged when wet and aren’t always reliable in the middle of bodies of water. For these reasons, you should always have an electronic position indicating radio beacon aboard your vessel. This device routinely gives off a satellite signal that is picked up the Coast Guard. It can alert the Coast Guard when you are in a life-threatening emergency with your exact location. Some boats also come with a Marine VHF radio that can be used to communicate with the Coast Guard or other rescue services. Channel 16 is specifically reserved for emergencies. It’s also advisable to carry additional rescue flares and signaling devices that can alert nearby boats that you need help. It’s important to consider that emergency services could be miles away from your mid-water location, so these devices can be life-saving. Preparing for the WorstIn 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard recognized 12.4 million individually registered boats. The agency recorded over 4,604 boating accidents the same year. While the number of overall boating accidents is fairly low, the amount of injuries sustained by those involved in boating accidents is staggering. The Coast Guard noted that out of the 4,604 accidents, an overwhelming 3,153 individuals were injured. Tragically, 672 people lost their lives. Boating fatalities are most commonly caused by factors like boating under the influence, excessively speeding, mechanical failure and operator error. Unfortunately, a boating accident injury can have life-altering consequences. Victims may have expensive medical bills, lost time from work or even sustained permanent physical damage. If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, then it may be possible to seek compensation in court when the boating driver was negligent. When you’ve been injured at sea, it may be best to seek counsel from an experienced boating accident attorney to determine whether you can seek compensation in court. Recreational boating should be fun, exciting and enjoyable, but there is a level of responsibility expected from every person who decides to operate a boat. Failing to remain up-to-date about Alabama’s boating rules, regulations and safety requirements can have devastating consequences. Violations can result in death, bodily injury, property damage, fines or criminal punishments. Don’t risk it. Read up on the safety rules and regulations, and safe boating!
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