Personal Injury Law

Warmer Weather Means More San Diego Boating Accidents

By Ross Jurewitz

San Diego is a boaters and waterman's paradise. From open ocean sailing to jet-skiing and water-skiing in Mission Bay, San Diegans take to the water when the weather gets warmer.

Not surprisingly then that boating accidents increase at this time of year. Also not surprising is that San Diego is home to two of the most dangerous bodies of water in California for boating accidents (San Diego Harbor and Mission Bay). In a five-year study performed by the California Department of Boating and Waterways, San Diego Harbor and Mission Bay were the third and fourth most dangerous "Coastal Water" area and were both within the top 10 most dangerous bodies of water overall within the State.

In addition, the Department also publishes an annual Boating Safety Report which includes accident data. What we know from these reports is that the vast majority of the accidents involve PWCs (jet-skis, etc.) and open-cockpit motorboats (water-ski boats, etc.). In addition, the majority those involved in these accidents is under 30 years of age. Last the accidents are almost always caused by three factors: excessive speed, operator inattentiveness, and operator inexperience.

If you're going to go out and enjoy San Diego's waters, be sure that you and everyone on your vessel is safe. Look out for other vessels, particularly those operated by young, inexperienced operators and give them wide berth. Avoid areas where these types of operators congregate (De Anza Cove, etc.). Last, make sure that you have insurance (both health and liability) in place to address any type of emergency.

Safe boating.

Full post as published by San Diego Injury Lawyer Blog on March 19, 2008 (boomark / email).