Two of the more shocking statistics are the fact that nearly 75 percent of of the 736 deaths from boating accidents were as a result of drowning and 84 percent of those victims were not wearing a life preserver. The other shocking statistic is that 86 percent of boat operators involved in an accident had not received any boat safety instruction. According to Admiral Kevin Cook “the two most important things boaters can do to prevent the loss of life is to wear a life jacket and take a boater’s education course.”

Would you ride in a car with someone that had never driven before? Better yet, how about fly with a pilot that has never soloed or taken flying lessons? I’m guessing MOST of you would say no.

You can’t just park the boat when bad weather rolls in and wait for it to clear like parking on the side of the highway in your car. Also, if you haven’t noticed your boat or personal watercraft doesn’t have any brakes.

Check into a local boat safety course and if you have any question about your own swimming ability or your passengers ability – please wear a life jacket. They are much more comfortable and less bulky than the old orange pull over your head life jackets our parents wore.

Happy and Safe Boating!!

• Check the weather forecast – it is Florida and you know what that means
• Review a safety checklist before leaving the dock or launching your boat
• USE COMMON SENSE at all times
• Designate a second person in charge to pilot your boat back to safety
• File a float plan so someone else know what you are up to
• Make sure everyone has a proper fitting life-jacket and that they know where they are stored.
• Get a free vessel safety check
• Avoid alcohol – don’t drink and drive
• Learn to swim or find out who on the boat cannot swim – they should don a life-jacket
• Check into a boating safety course even if only to refresh what you already know

The new law requires Florida boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 to take and pass a state approved boating education course in order to pilot any vessel with 10 or more horsepower. The new law also applies to non-Florida residents with a few exceptions like those with a USCG Master’s license.

More and more people will be affected every year since it is tied to a specific date and not an age. Being an avid boater all my life, I believe this will go a long way towards improving boating safety. It won’t end all the boat accidents out on the water but I have to believe that if more people understood the basic right of way rules – we would all be better off. Driving a boat is not like driving a car and some people shouldn’t even be driving  a car. Biggest difference is that boats don’t have brakes.

Let’s be safe out there on the water and don’t forget all your required safety equipment. If you can’t swim, wear a USCG approved life vest.

A good couple days of cleaning, preventive maintenance and prep work go a long way towards enjoying a safe accident-free spring and summer boating season. As I finished typing that sentence, Mr Sunshine appeared! Now we’re talking.

I have been around boats all my life and have owned my current one for over 20 years now so I know it pretty well but I never hesitate to make sure everything is functioning properly and all my safety equipment is right where I left it.  Do you know what safety equipment is required on your boat? When is the last time you actually put your hands on your life jackets or tested your fire extinguisher? Have your kids outgrown last year’s stuff? Mine have. I’m still trying to get rid of the infant jackets from 3 0r 4 years ago. You wouldn’t leave the dock without your lunch, drinks, rods and reels, bait etc….but how many times have you thought.. it’s such a nice day why do I need my radio, my anchor. You get my drift! If you have been boating enough you should clearly understand how quickly that nice day can change.

Get in touch with the local Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron for a Vessel Safety Check or visit the US Coast Guard Boating Safety Division site for lots more information concerning safe and enjoyable boating.

Hope to see you out on the Jacksonville waterways soon!

www.harrellandharrell.com

Harrell & Harrell is proud to serve the people of Jacksonville and the surrounding North Florida area. Please contact us about any questions you may have concerning your car accident, trucking accident, boat accident or any other type of personal injury matter. We are also glad to speak with you about your Social Security Disability questions. We can be reached at (904)251-1111 or (800)251-1111 if you are not in the local calling area. For those of you who like the convenience of the Internet, feel free to use our online form.

We are your local team of Jacksonville trial lawyers.

www.harrellandharrell.com

If you are denied for disability benefits for whatever reason, contact us , within sixty days of the denial letter’s date or you may have to start the process again.  Jacksonville handles most of the claims for the North Florida area.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to call the personal injury lawyers at Harrell and Harrell, PA .

Here’s the link to apply online:

http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/

     As the economy worsens and employers  attempt to raise production with less manpower, corners will be cut and seemingly innocent oversights will occur resulting in more dangerous work sites and conditions. Don’t become the innocent injured victim.  Stay aware of your surroundings and make sure to voice your concerns to the appropriate people so catastrophic personal injury can be avoided.

       The National Safety Council published some of the most common safety violations so far in 2009. Scaffolding remains the most problematic area.  Whether you are working on the most basic makeshift scaffolds to high-end commercially produced products – safety awareness should be job one. A good discussion of this data can be found at “The Safety Blog“.

     If you, your loved one, family member or co-worker find yourself injured on the job due to just plain dumb luck or the carelessness of another – call Harrell & Harrell to arrange for a free consultation or just visit our website and submit a “Do I Have A Case” form. Either way someone will address your concerns so you can just focus on getting better.

We have always been proud to serve our clients and to be a resource to other great attorneys. As we begin our venture into blogging, we hope to be able to be a resource to our readers, and encourage you to send us your questions. Although we cannot give advice on this blog specific to your legal case, we can shed light on how the law works in many situations, and we’re happy to help in any way we can.