Boating at Night? Advice from a Personal Injury Lawyer

Boating at night is very difficult, regardless of your skill or experience level. As there are some very obvious hazards associated with night boating, it is wise to do so during the day whenever possible. If you do choose to go boating at night, our personal injury lawyer would like to recommend that you abide by a few simple rules to ensure you and all your passengers remain safe during your journey.

5 Tips from a Personal Injury Lawyer on Boating at Night

1. Resist the temptation to go fast. Although it’s fun to drive your boat briskly, it is very dangerous to do so at night. In fact, it’s even dangerous during the day! Nighttime boating comes with very limited visibility so play it safe and slow down. This will give you time to avoid swimmers, other boats and any other obstructions that you may come across while boating.
2. Avoid using your headlights or spotlight. While this may seem like really horrible advice, our personal injury lawyer definitely recommends saving those headlights and spotlight for docking purposes. While you may be able to see more clearly a few feet ahead of your boat while driving, the glare makes it difficult for your eyes to adjust and see further out. Leave those lights off for a bit and you’ll find that your eyes will adjust to the darkness, making it easier to see. By keeping the headlights turned off, you’ll also avoid blinding other boaters.
3. Make sure you have an emergency kit on board. Regardless of whether you’re boating at night or during the day, our personal injury lawyer always recommends packing an emergency kit. This kit should include a flashlight, food, water, first aid kit, and blankets. You might also consider investing in some night vision gear if you boat at night on a regular basis.
4. Always wear a life jacket. Any personal injury lawyer will tell you that you should always be wearing a lifejacket while boating, whether you’re out on the water during the day or at night. No matter how great of a swimmer you are, a life jacket can save your life. You may also want to store a few extras on your boat as well.
5. Avoid low water areas. Low water areas can be very dangerous and may cause damage to your boat. This is also where most swimmers will be. At night, it can be difficult to see swimmers or obstructions in these low water areas near the shore or on a bay, so it is best to avoid them altogether.

Were You Involved In a Boating Accident? A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you were involved in a boating accident, we are so sorry. Accidents can happen to anyone but we never want them to happen to ourselves or anyone we care about. Our personal injury lawyer understands the stress and anxiety that comes with dealing with a boating accident, and we are here to help you through it.
Please contact Tolbert Beadle, LLC today to schedule your free consultation. We are ready to support you in any way we can!