Alaska Boating Safety

Alaska Boating Safety – There are many ways to prevent boating accidents. Unfortunately, there are drivers who don’t pay attention or who boat negligently, injuring or killing others on the water. It’s important to know ways of avoiding boating accidents, so you, your family, and friends are safer. It is equally wise to know your legal options when someone hurts you or your loved ones.

Avoid Drinking On The Water

When you’re boating, the number-one rule should be never drink and drive. Drinking and driving on the water poses the same threats as drinking and driving on land. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2024 report, alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents accounting for 20% of boating accident deaths. Bottom Line: Drinking and driving threatens Alaska boating safety for everyone.

Children And Alaska Boating Safety

Many children are hurt on boats because they are unfamiliar with Alaska boating safety and dangerous boating behaviors. Teach children the basics of Alaska boating safety:

• Always wear a proper fitting life jacket;
• Stay seated while the boat is moving;
• Running on the boat is prohibited; and
• Never lean over the side of the boat

Make Alaska boating safety a priority in your family. Increase swimming safety skills by enrolling children in swimming lessons at an early age. Teach children the differences between pool swimming and open water swimming. Practice floating in a properly fitted life jacket before going into open water.

Finally, never overload the boat; having too many people on board may cause the boat to capsize or fill with water.

Safety Equipment

Everyone on board should have a properly fitted life jacket. Although wearing life jackets when the boat is stationary is not required, wearing life jackets while docking is best practice for Alaska boating safety. While 76% of fatal boating incident victims drowned, 87% of the fatalities were not wearing a Personal Floatation Device.

Even when all participants follow Alaska safe boating practices, accidents may still happen. In the case of an emergency, you need to know how to get help. Have all required safety equipment on board, and remember to bring fresh water, food and plenty of sunscreen when planning a day on the water. If the weather gets rough, return to the docks or port; even on landlocked lakes, waves can capsize small boats.

Know Your Rights After A Boating Accident

Those injured in a boating accident due to another person’s negligence, may have a claim for damages. A personal injury attorney can help you with this kind of claim. As with every serious injury case, obtaining fair compensation after a boating accident relies on your attorney’s ability to identify insurance coverage to pay for your losses. Johnson Law finds insurance coverage for clients and fights for fair compensation from the insurance companies.

 Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your Alaska boating accident injury case. We are here to serve you.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: National Association of State Boating Law Administrators: Alaska; FindLaw: Top 10 Tips to Prevent Boating Accidents, Injuries

Image Source: Alaska Explored