Boating Safety

It’s summertime and lakes, rivers, and streams will be full of fishing boats, powerboats, sail boats, and personal watercrafts (jet ski’s). I can’t think of anything better to do on a beautiful Arkansas summer day! Some of my best childhood memories are from the many hours spent with my family water skiing, fishing and boating around Greer’s Ferry Lake in central Arkansas. Fun times!

My parents were sticklers for safety, on and off the water. If we were in our boat, or any boat, we had on our life jackets. Now, as a parent, I can appreciate the safety precautions my parents took to keep me and my brother safe. Boating can be dangerous. Tragically, every summer there are heartbreaking stories of boating accidents. Many are preventable accidents caused by high speeds, recklessness, and impaired driving. Holidays can be the most dangerous times with the largest number of boats competing for space on the water. In fact, according the American Boating Association, the Fourth of July Holiday is the busiest and, sadly the deadliest time for boating.

There are many similarities to driving a boat and driving a car. Unfortunately, having a center line is not one of them. Boating can be a ‘free-for-all’ and an ‘every boat for itself’ situation. Many accidents could be prevented by using common sense; most could be prevented by not drinking and driving a boat! Just like driving a car, drinking or using drugs while operating a boat or personal watercraft is illegal in Arkansas. And, when alcohol is included in boating, just like a car, there should be a designated driver.

Be safe and enjoy your time when boating or using other watercrafts on beautiful lakes, rivers and streams in Arkansas. If you are involved in a boating accident caused by the carelessness of someone else, we may be able to help. Call us for a free consultation at (479) 202-5200.

Boating should create fun memories. Enjoy your summer!