Let’s keep Jacksonville boat accidents to a minimum this July 4th holiday. Just like in a car always have a designated driver. The Coast Guard, as well as Florida Fish and Wildlife, will be out in force this weekend patrolling the waterways as people celebrate the Fourth of July.
“There will be more people, and more boats, out on the water this weekend than just about any other time during the year,” said Hulme, a Coast Guard spokesman. “We hope people exercise extra caution when they are on the water.”
More boats on the water means more chances to get into an accident if you’re not paying attention, said Jim Suber, Jacksonville’s waterways coordinator/dockmaster and a former Sheriff’s Office marine outfit sergeant.
That’s especially true at night, when it’s harder to see and boats are often in close proximity while they jostle to get a good space before the fireworks start.
“It’s best to have a second observer at night paying attention to where you’re going,” said Suber, who points out that debris in the water and other hazards can be missed by the boats driver.
Karen Parker, spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said increased patrols would be visible on all major waterways. Most officers will be working 12-hour shifts throughout the weekend.
“We’ll be on the lookout for careless drivers and we encourage boaters to be alert and pay attention to their surroundings,” Parker said. “Carelessness and inattention are the biggest causes of boating accidents.”
Another part of that extra caution is not being drunk while driving a boat, Hulme said.
Boating under the influence arrests dropped in 2008, and only one arrest occurred in Northeast Florida during the first four months of 2009. But boater safety gained attention on Easter when a 22-foot boat crashed into an Intracoastal Waterway construction site. Five people were killed and nine were injured.
If drinking is planned, people should designate a boat driver who will not consume alcohol, Parker said.
“Just like driving a car, it’s a bad idea to drink alcohol and drive a boat,” she said.
Suber said boaters need to pay attention to the currents and tides when boating in the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal Waterway, because the water can be very shallow in some places.
He also stressed the importance of wearing a life jacket, even if you’re a good swimmer. It’s 3 miles across the Buckman Bridge, and having to swim a mile or more is not easy without a life preserver, he said. Even close to shore is dangerous.
“People have drowned in 2 feet of water when they’ve been knocked unconscious,” Suber said. “You may think you can swim, but those currents can be very tough. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Jacksonville boat accident please call the Law office of Henry Gare at (904) 387-6101
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