Last month, a Miami Marlins Major League Baseball pitcher died in a tragic boating accident. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, which discovered the boat the next morning, the 32-foot boat crashed into a pile of rocks that formed a jetty and capsized, killing both the Marlin’s pitcher and two other men on board.

Local police are still unsure if drunk boating was a factor. However, it was discovered that none of the men on board were wearing life vests.

Things to Bear in Mind to Avoid a Boating Accident

Boating is a fun recreational activity, but the consequences of boating accidents can be devastating. Here are somethings to bear in mind to keep you and your passengers safe when you’re out on the water.

• Nighttime boating is extremely dangerous and actually a lot harder than some may think, particularly for inexperienced boaters. Distances are particularly difficult to judge and there are no lights. Bright lights, such as the glow from a cell phone or even instrument panels, can seriously impair the vision of the operator.
• Drunk boating is the leading cause of boating accident deaths in the U.S., according to the Coast Guard. Being out in the sun all day can actually exacerbate the effects of alcohol, which can cause most boaters to be more impaired than expected.
• Wear a life jacket! That “it only works if you wear it” campaign couldn’t have put it better. They may feel bulky and awkward, but it really does save lives. More than 70 percent of all boating accident fatalities resulted in drowning, which of course, can be prevented by wearing a life jacket. Often times after a boating accident, life jackets will be found on board, but in an emergency, most people may not have the opportunity to reach over and put the life jacket on.

The maritime attorneys at Latti & Anderson LLP are dedicated to helping those injured in maritime accidents. Whether you are a maritime worker who is injured on the job or a passenger in a boating accident, we fight to ensure you have what you need to recover after an injury.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/26/sports/baseball/jose-fernandez-dead-miami-marlins.html?_r=0