{"id":10026,"date":"2025-05-22T10:02:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T10:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=10026"},"modified":"2025-05-22T10:02:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T10:02:17","slug":"the-first-thing-to-do-if-involved-in-a-boating-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=10026","title":{"rendered":"The First Thing to Do if Involved in a Boating Accident"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    The First Thing to Do if Involved in a Boating Accident<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    <!-- no image --><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><\/p>\n<div>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-FortPierceCollsion-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image disable-lazyload\" alt=\"Boats after colliding\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-FortPierceCollsion-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-FortPierceCollsion-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-FortPierceCollsion-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-FortPierceCollsion-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-FortPierceCollsion.jpg 2000w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">What is the first thing you should do following a collision with another boat? The author offers strategies to consider, so you can be better prepared if it ever happens to you.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy US Coast Guard, District 7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<p><iframe id=\"wxuzj5efbz\" src=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.dragonforms.com\/wxuzj5efbz\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:165px;border:none;overflow:hidden;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The types of emergencies that can occur aboard boats are as numerous as the types of boats and types of boaters. Naturally, our boats should be properly equipped with life jackets for everyone, distress signals, a VHF radio and more.\u00a0 We should also gain knowledge of the waters we are cruising and check the weather before heading out. It\u2019s also prudent to think through emergency scenarios so that should we ever face one, we are better prepared to deal with it. Here are six potential boating emergencies, and how to respond to them.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Collision<\/h2>\n<p>After a collision, immediately stop your engines and check for injuries aboard your boat. Make sure everyone is wearing a life jacket. Treat the injuries. Check for flooding, then activate bilge pumps, close seacocks, and stuff gear in holes to control leaks. Call for help. When safe, check on the other boat and its passengers. If possible, document the scene with pictures and video.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-border-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#ffe85d;border-width:4px;border-radius:10px;background-color:#fff8d1\">\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>\u2013<\/strong> <strong><strong>WEAR A LIFE JACKET<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong><br \/>Everyone, even strong swimmers, needs to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim.<\/p>\n<p><cite>Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-boothbayfire-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Boat on fire\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-boothbayfire-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-boothbayfire-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-boothbayfire-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-boothbayfire-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-boothbayfire.jpg 2000w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Fire can kill you four ways: burning, explosion, smoke inhalation, and it can sink your boat and drown you.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Chuck Chavtur<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fire<\/h2>\n<p>Turn the boat so that the wind doesn\u2019t fan the flames and blows the smoke away, preventing its spread and smoke inhalation. Make sure everyone is wearing a life jacket. Shut off the fuel if the tanks or engines are at risk. Call mayday on VHF Channel 16, DSC-VHF distress button, or 911 on a cellphone with service. Give your boat description, location, and number of passengers on board. Use a fire extinguisher to PASS: Pull pin; Aim at fire base; Squeeze handle; Sweep side-to-side. Never use water on gas, oil, grease or electrical fires. If you can safely throw the burning object, toss it overboard. If flames threaten the gas tank or propane cylinder, toss it over or abandon ship.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CatCay_Sink-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Boat sinking in the ocean\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CatCay_Sink-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CatCay_Sink-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CatCay_Sink-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CatCay_Sink-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CatCay_Sink.jpg 1867w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Boats can sink very quickly, which is why wearing your lifejacket is better than having it \u201cready.\u201d<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy US Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Galan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sinking<\/h2>\n<p>First, get life jackets on everyone. Make a distress call (VHF Channel 16, DSC-VHF distress button, or 911 on a cell phone if there is service). Find the leak and activate bilge pumps. Make temporary repairs, such as closing seacocks or jamming wet clothing into an opening. Head for the nearest shore to beach your boat. To abandon ship, gather what you need: lines to hold everyone together, your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingsafetymag.com\/safety-tips\/assembling-ditch-bag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ditch bag<\/a>, hats and jackets, water bottles, and a handheld VHF. Take distress signals. Stay near the sinking boat so that you can be spotted more easily by rescuers. Climb atop a swamped or capsized boat.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-border-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#ffe85d;border-width:4px;border-radius:10px;background-color:#fff8d1\">\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>\u2013<\/strong> <strong><strong>ALWAYS USE YOUR ENGINE CUT-OFF LANYARD<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong><br \/>Make sure your Engine Cut-Off Switch lanyard is attached to your person whenever you\u2019re underway. They\u2019re now required on all open boats under 26 feet.<\/p>\n<p><cite>Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CPR.jpg?resize=800%2C569&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Performing CPR while at sea\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CPR.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CPR-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-CPR-768x546.jpg 768w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">USCG personnel are trained in first aid, including CPR. As a boater, you should seek that training as well. In the US, contact the American Red Cross. <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy US Coast Guard PA1 Anastasia Devlin<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medical Emergency<\/h2>\n<p>Is it life-threatening or manageable? If serious, call mayday on VHF 16, use a DSC-VHF distress button, or call 911 on a cellphone with service. Stop bleeding with pressure or by raising a limb above heart level. Use a sterile dressing secured with bandages. If the victim is in shock, keep them warm and lying down with their feet raised.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-vhfwithpointer-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Activating DSC on a VHF radio\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-vhfwithpointer-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-vhfwithpointer-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-vhfwithpointer-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-vhfwithpointer.jpg 1170w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Having DSC activated on your VHF allows making a mayday call with a one-button push, freeing you for other tasks in an emergency. Learn about DSC at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/how-to\/making-dsc-fully-functional-vhf-radio\">boatingmag.com\/how-to\/making-dsc-fully-functional-vhf-radio<\/a>.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Icom<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-border-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#ffe85d;border-width:4px;border-radius:10px;background-color:#fff8d1\">\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>\u2013<\/strong> <strong><strong>UPGRADE YOUR RADIO<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong><br \/>Digital Select Calling (DSC) allows you to transmit your precise location with the press of a button. Make sure your VHF radio has it, and don\u2019t forget to get your <a href=\"https:\/\/seatow.com\/marine-services\/mmsi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MMSI number<\/a>. It might just save your life.<\/p>\n<p><cite>Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-weathercomebykf-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Bad weather heading towards boat\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-weathercomebykf-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-weathercomebykf-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-weathercomebykf-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-weathercomebykf-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-weathercomebykf.jpg 2000w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Be alert for signs of changing weather and have a plan in place for what actions you might take if caught out in bad weather.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Kevin Falvey<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sudden Storm Conditions<\/h2>\n<p>Don life jackets, then secure loose gear, close hatches\/windows, and reduce speed while maintaining headway and steerage. Choose a safe shelter, and head there immediately. Turn on your nav lights. Have your crew sit close to the centerline, and on the sole, for safety and stability. With lightning strikes, have everyone stay low and away from metal. Remove metal jewelry, and lower the rods and outriggers.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"476\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-Boatondam-austintraviscountyEMS-1024x609.jpg?resize=800%2C476&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Boat teetering on a dam\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-Boatondam-austintraviscountyEMS-1024x609.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-Boatondam-austintraviscountyEMS-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-Boatondam-austintraviscountyEMS-768x457.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-CG-Boatondam-austintraviscountyEMS.jpg 1218w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Dams and spillways and waterfalls can all present deadly hazards.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Austin-Travis County EMS <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Caught on Dam or Waterfall<\/h2>\n<p>Dams or spillways with dangerous currents can suck in boats, even against their engines. Stay with the boat, and get life jackets on everyone. Drop an anchor before you reach the dam to hold you in safe water for rescue. Make a distress call (VHF 16, DSC-VHF distress button, or 911 on cell). Keep everyone low to prevent tipping and swamping, and move them back from the edge to balance the boat. If you do go into the water and are swept over, tuck your chin, draw your knees up and wrap your arms around them tightly with wrists locked.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/how-to\/first-thing-to-do-if-involved-in-a-boating-accident\/\">The First Thing to Do if Involved in a Boating Accident<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/\">Boating Mag<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    Capt. Chris Caswell<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/how-to\/first-thing-to-do-if-involved-in-a-boating-accident\/\">Go to boatingmag<\/a><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The First Thing to Do if Involved in a Boating Accident What is the first thing you should do following a collision with another boat? The author offers strategies to consider, so you can be better prepared if it ever happens to you. Courtesy US Coast Guard, District 7 The types of emergencies that can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2168,126,63,175,684],"tags":[127],"class_list":["post-10026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-boating-safety","category-boatingmag","category-coast-guard","category-how-to","category-seamanship","tag-boatingmag"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10026"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10026"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10026\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}