Did you know that, in the United States alone, there are over 4,000 reported boating accidents each calendar year? While that number isn’t super high, if you own a boat, you want to do everything that you can to make sure that you’re not apart of that statistic.
While all boating accidents and injuries can be fatal, boat propeller injuries can be especially life-threatening. You need to know a bit more than just basic boating safety tips to prevent boat propeller accidents from occurring, too, which is what makes them so dangerous.
The good news? We can help you learn everything that you need to know to avoid boat propeller accidents today.
In this article, we’ll tell you 8 things that you can do to make sure that nobody suffers a boat propeller accident via your boat. We’ll tell you what to do, and what not to do, to make sure that everyone on and around your boat is safe from harm.
That way you can enjoy your boat, and the water, with peace of mind.
1. Avoid Alcohol Consumption While Driving a Boat
There are a few things that you can do to make sure that you’re in the right frame of mind to operate a boat safely. Besides knowing how to drive a boat, and having a boating license, you need to make sure that you avoid drinking alcohol while behind the wheel.
We get it. It can be tempting to join in and have a few drinks while hanging out on a boat with your friends or family. But being impaired while operating a boat is not only illegal, but it’s extremely dangerous, too.
Our advice? If you’re going to have a drink while you’re on a boat, have a designated driver that will make sure everyone gets back home safely. That way everyone can have fun without having to worry about increasing the chances of an accident, or at best, breaking the law.
2. Confirm Your Propeller Is Installed Properly
It goes without saying, but if you own a boat, keeping up with your boat’s maintenance is a must. Not only will doing so prolong the life of your boat, but it’ll help keep things running smoothly, especially when you’re out on the water.
When you’re doing routine maintenance on your boat, check to make sure that your propeller is working properly. Confirm that it isn’t damaged and doesn’t need to be repaired so you can be good to go the next time you use your boat.
If you need to get some parts for your propeller, or replace it completely, check out the folks at Solas Propeller for parts and supplies. They’ve got everything that you need to get the job done yourself, which can be a life-saver if you need to repair or replace your propeller but are working on a tight budget.
3. Check for People Before You Start Your Boat
Of course, if a propeller injury is going to happen, it’s going to happen while your boat is in the water. So, from the moment that your boat hits the water, you need to start thinking about your safety and the safety of those around you.
When it’s finally time to start up your boat and venture out into the water, make sure that nobody is nearby your boat before doing so. Odds are, if you’re at a boating dock, there won’t be any people in the water near you.
Still, it never hurts to double-check, just to make sure that you’re being extra cautious.
4. Enforce Seat Safety Rules While Moving
If you’re going out on your boat, odds are you’re going to have at least one other person with you when you do. You, the driver of the boat, don’t have much to worry about, as you’re most likely nowhere near the location of your boat’s propellers.
But if you have tons of people on your boat with you, odds are at least one person is going to be seated near your boat’s propellers. Because of this, we recommend that you enforce strict seat safety rules while your boat is in motion.
A few basic rules to keep in mind? Make sure that everyone is wearing life jackets, so if they fall overboard, they’ll be safe. Also, don’t let anyone stand up while the boat is moving, as it’ll increase the chances of them falling overboard.
Finally, if your boat has a lip, don’t allow people to sit on that lip. You’re always one big ripple in the water away from your boat ride getting extra bumpy, which can send someone who is sitting on the lip of your boat right into the water.
5. Tell Your Passengers Where the Propeller Is
To piggyback off of that last point, it’s important that everyone on your boat understands and follows all boating safety rules. That way everyone can have a good time, all while avoiding any injuries of any kind.
Remember, as people start drinking alcohol, they’re going to become more careless. That means that you need to keep a close eye on everyone who is drinking to ensure that they’re being safe while on the boat.
Also, make sure that all of your boat guests know where your propeller is located. A simple rundown of your basic rules, plus the location of the propeller, before you start moving is very much recommended.
6. Avoid Driving Through Swimming Zones
Going out on your boat? Odds are you’re already super familiar with the area that you’re going to be exploring. That means that you know when and where things are going to get crowded, which means you can watch for people more easily.
When you’re around other boats, or people swimming, you need to be extra careful. Slowing down and staying on high alert, to be extra safe, is more than a good idea.
Also, make sure you avoid driving through all swimming zones. Doing this is not only illegal in most places, but it’ll increase the chances of a propeller-related accident, which isn’t what you want to do.
7. Ensure That the Engine Is off Before Entry or Exit
We touched on this earlier, but when your boat is first docked, prior to you taking it out, you need to be extra careful. Having your boat engine off while people are nearby is a given, but having your boat engine off while people are entering the boat is also a must.
This will ensure that, should someone fall overboard while boarding your boat, you won’t have to worry about a propeller-related injury, as your boat will not be running. That peace of mind is nice, as again, accidents do happen.
If people want to get off of your boat, perhaps to get in the water, make sure that your boat is turned off before they exit. Having people swimming around your boat is never a good idea and should be avoided at all costs.
If someone happens to fall out of your boat while it is moving, slow down and turn it off. That way they can swim back to your boat and reboard safely.
8. Always Look for People in the Water
It can be easy to get too comfortable behind the wheel of your boat. This is especially true if you do a lot of boating, or if you take longer boat rides.
When you get too comfortable, you often tend to look away from the water. That can lead to you not looking for people as hard as you should be, and thus, not seeing a person swimming right in front of you.
Our advice? If your boat is on, keep your eyes glued to what’s in front of you. Never stop looking for people and always make sure you know what is around you.
That way you can protect yourself, everyone on your boat, and those in the water around you.
Need More Tips for Avoiding Boat Propeller Injuries?
As you can see, it doesn’t take more than common sense and a few basic rules to prevent boat propeller injuries. With that in mind, if you don’t take boating safety seriously, or get too careless behind the wheel of your boat, an injury is more likely to occur.
That’s why we recommend that you make sure that everyone on your boat is thinking about safety at all times.
Looking for more boating tips and tricks? Or perhaps more useful information on boats in general? Check back with our blog often!
