The Bigger The Boat, The Safer You Are - Sorta by David S. Smith, Ph.D., Commander, USCG (RET) The average boat involved in a serious accident is usually under 15 feet long. With the exception of personal water craft (jet skis/wave runners), most horrendous accidents to small craft happen when the boats are either sitting still or moving slowly. Reason: falling overboard or capsizing is the primary cause for boating deaths/boating drowning regardless of boat size. Since the USCG has been keeping records, every year 60 % of boating fatalities involve the two causes previously listed. Usually these boats have no motors or smaller motors used for trolling. (You would have a hard time capsizing a 30 foot trawler, but you can still fall off.) Most fishing derbies require operators/passengers to wear PFD's when underway at high speed. In actuality, the occupants (especially if they can't swim) need to wear their life jackets just as much when the boat is stock still! Another aspect of the capsizing/falls overboard danger has to do with drinking alcoholic beverages. On average, one can of beer per hour can result in a Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) of .025. This isn't enough to get you a citation for drunken operation, but it most certainly will effect balance. And, balancing in a small boat while wrestling a fish can become interesting, not to mention exciting. Another concept needing emphasis is that most serious accidents happen in very good weather on inland lakes and ponds, not at sea in storms. Even a small pond can be affected by increasing wind at the end of a tiresome day of fishing! Another warning for small craft users regarding PWC's: there are two primary causes for accidents (usually collisions) for jet skis. To wit: A. Not looking before turning; and B. Forgetting that you have to apply gas to turn the craft. With PWC's a large number of accidents happen to first time or inexperienced operators, primarily because of the two foregoing reasons. Owners should always insure that riders have read the operating manuals and practiced at safe, slow speeds, before turning new drivers loose for long distance solos! That is all - Live Long And Prosper!!! Dr. Smith's latest book, Water Rescue, is available by calling Mosby-Lifeline Publishers at (800) 426-4545. For upcoming seminar information, visit his website at: www.aquaticsafety.com. Got a question about boating safety? Post your question in one of our Boating Forums! Got a boating safety tip to share with others? Share it in one of our Boating Forums or submit an article about it and have it published right here on BOATOhio.com! Back to the top... Back to the Boating Safety Index...