Summer Boating Safety Tips

Summer Boating Safety Tips in North Dakota

Summer is an excellent time to kick back, relax and spend time with family and friends. But it’s also a time which brings additional risks associated with boating and other water-related accidents.

Whether you own a boat, you’re heading out on a friend’s boat, or you’re renting a boat, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary safety gear and everyone on board is aware of what to do if an accident happens. Avoiding accidents is the best way to get the most enjoyment out of your summer’s day, but if you’re not able to avoid an accident, reacting quickly at the scene can go a long way.

Paying attention to summer water safety and keeping safety top-of-mind can prevent dangerous accidents on the water. The first step toward preventing accidents on or near the water is wearing a personal floatation device, and ensuring all children wear a Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device while boating. Failing to wear a floatation device is the primary reason for fatal injuries in boating and water-related accidents. North Dakota law requires children 10 and younger to wear a Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device anytime they are in a boat of less than 27 feet in length.

In addition, all personal watercraft users are required by law to wear life jackets, including anyone being towed behind a watercraft on wakeboards, skis, tubes or similar devices. Simply put, it’s a basic ground rule for everyone out on the water to have a personal floatation device to help prevent injuries and protect them in the event of an emergency. In addition, when towing skiers or tubers, the boat driver should have an additional lookout to notify of any emergency issues as soon as possible.

If you have been involved in a boating or other water-related accident, contact the North Dakota accident attorneys at Larson Law Contact us online or call our Minot office at 701-484-4878.