Your Local Hawaii Personal Injury And Medical Malpractice Firm

Boating safety guidelines in Hawaii are being revisited

On Behalf of | Aug 22, 2022 | Maritime Injuries |

In a beautiful place like Hawaii, where there are so many activities that happen on the ocean, boating accidents occur relatively often. Of course, there are boating safety guidelines in place but many people wonder if those guidelines are strict enough.

There are many different ways in which a boating accident may occur in Hawaii. The weather is often a contributing factor when it comes to an accident occurring. Although Hawaii’s weather stations are vigilant in reporting up-to-date weather conditions and radar information, unfortunately, there are still times when tragedy strikes and people get hurt (or worse).

Factors that contribute to boating accidents

In addition to the weather, there are other factors that contribute to boating accidents as well. One of those factors is overcrowding on boat tours. In many cases lately, the combination of too many customers and not enough certified staff members and can be a really dangerous combination.

The effectiveness of the boating safety guidelines has come under scrutiny for a long time now and several years ago (in 2015), a safety evaluation by Marine Science Consulting LLC, which was funded by the state, concluded that the dangers on the ocean for tours was going to increase over time. Sadly, the report conveyed that the accidents were inevitable and that if the guidelines were not tightened, the situation would get worse.

How can the situation be improved?

There are several measures that can be taken in order to decrease the number of accidents that may occur. One thing that would help, according to authorities, is training. The crews on boats can be trained as rescue divers or lifeguards. Another action that would probably help is limiting the number of boats that are allowed in one place at a time. However, the responsibility not only lies with one group of people.

Over the last several years, there have been more and more boating incidents that led to serious injuries or fatalities. Lawmakers have proposed that all boats must have prop guards, so that the propeller is not able to come into direct contact with any object. However, the proposal was never passed into a law.

Counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a boating accident, the advice of an experienced Honolulu personal injury attorney may prove to be invaluable to your case. It is important that you protect your rights and that you receive compensation in a fair and just manner so that you are able to move past your injuries and into a good life for you and your family.

Archives