Boating safety is sometimes understood best by looking to a real-life example - and from that, learning what to do or what not to do in similar situations. Boating at night is hazardous - learn from this tragic example how operating your boat at a safe speed, and with proper precautions, at night can save lives.
Scenario: A man operating a Boston Whaler dies and four other occupants are injured when another boat hits theirs shortly after 1:00 a.m. "The preliminary evidence indicates that both boats were moving at the time of the crash." The man thought to be responsible for the collision says he thought he hit a log.
Learn the Rules of the Road
By learning the Coast Guard Navigation Rules - otherwise known as the Rules of the Road - you will significantly increase your knowledge of boating safety. There are many resources to obtain a copy of the Navigation Rules, and you can study them by yourself, or online. I recommend taking a boating safety class that includes learning the Rules of the Road in their lesson plan.Proceed at a Safe Speed at Night
Rule 6 of Part B, Steering and Sailing Rules, Section 1 of the Coast Guard Navigation Rules states that "Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and condition."
Slow down! Slow down! Slow down! While we can't say for sure, I'd be willing to bet if the operator of the boat who hit the Boston Whaler was driving at a speed night conditions call for, the collision wouldn't have happened, or maybe not to the extent to cause a death.
Maintain a Proper Lookout
The Steering and Sailing Rules, Rule 5, of the Coast Guard Navigation Rules states that "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision."
All boaters are responsible for avoiding a collision - even the operator of the Boston Whaler that was hit. Maintaining a proper lookout, for both boaters, might have resulted in a different outcome. The Boston Whaler might have seen the vessel bearing down on him and would have been able to sound an alarm or make a course correction to avoid collision. The same applies to the driver of the other boat.
