Boating Accident Claims Life in Union County, Underscoring Importance of Boating Safety

A boating accident claimed the life of a 37-year-old woman, according to news reports from WNEP.

Rescue teams were called to assist two boaters in the Susquehanna River in Union Township. Their boat had capsized near Silo Lane. Rescue teams found one survivor, a man, soon after arrival. Approximately one hour later, dive teams found the body of another boater, a woman. She was rushed to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead. 

Authorities believe the woman’s death was accidental. Yet her death demonstrates the importance of boating safety as Pennsylvania’s boating season gets underway. 

Risks of Pennsylvania Boating Accidents

In 2022, nine boaters lost their lives in Pennsylvania boating accidents. At the time of their deaths, only three were wearing life jackets. Most had never taken a boating safety course. Alcohol and drug use were believed to be factors in at least three of the nine deaths. 

Boating accidents pose a number of risks for those on Pennsylvania waterways. Serious injuries can occur during boating accidents, including: 

• Head, neck, and back injuries,
• Brain and spinal cord injuries, 
• Broken bones, 
• Burn injuries if motors or other boat parts catch fire,
• Amputations or crush injuries from being trapped or pinned in motor parts or between two boats that collide,
• Drowning or near-drowning causing a dangerous lack of oxygen to the brain, 
• Exposure injuries from hypothermia in cold water.

Other injuries may also occur. In addition, those who survive boating injuries may live with lifelong pain, suffering, scarring or disfigurement, and mental or emotional trauma from the harrowing experience they suffered. 

Responsibilities and Resources for Pennsylvania Boaters

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) lists four responsibilities for boat operators. All boat operators in the state must:

• Know the rules and regulations that govern the waters where they’ll be boating.
• Know the waters they’ll boat in.
• Have the required safety equipment for their watercraft and everyone aboard.
• Monitor the actions of those on board their boats. 

Pennsylvania law includes many rules for operating boats. For instance, several rules govern the speed of boats near shores, docks, other boats, swimmers, and other objects in the water. Rules also govern how fast boats may travel when someone is standing up in the boat or sitting on the bow decking, gunwales, transom, or motor covers. Boaters also have a responsibility to stick to Homeland Security rules governing how close boats may be to military areas, military boats, and commercial boats. 

To help boaters understand and follow these rules, the PFBC offers several resources. One such resource is boater safety education classes. These classes can be taken in person or online. Boater education appears to play an important role in preventing deaths and serious injuries among Pennsylvania boaters: the PFBC estimates that more than half of boater deaths in 2022 occurred among boaters who had never taken a boating safety course. 

The PFBC also offers guidelines for choosing life jackets and ensuring they fit correctly and are comfortable to wear. Of the nine deaths that occurred in 2022, six were not wearing their life jackets. 

Other safety equipment that can help boaters prevent an accident or address problems after an accident includes:

• A whistle or other sound-producing device,
• A portable fire extinguisher,
• Navigation lights and signal flares,
• Paddles or oars,
• Anchors and lines long enough to reach the bottom of the waterway,
• First aid kits, sunscreen, and emergency food and water, 
• A tool kit containing basic repair tools, spare fuses, and spare bulbs.

Some of this equipment is required on certain boats. Check PFBC regulations to ensure your boat is equipped.

While boating safety courses and personal flotation devices can help save lives, they cannot prevent all boating accidents. Accidents can also occur if other boaters on the water are operating boats in a negligent or reckless way. 

What To Do If You’re Injured in a Boating Accident

If you experience a boating accident on Pennsylvania waterways this year:

• Get medical attention immediately.  In an emergency, call 911. For all other injuries, see a doctor as soon as possible to document your injuries and start a treatment plan. 
• Collect all the information you can. Get the names and contact information of those involved and any witnesses, if possible. Write down what you remember about the event – what you saw, heard, or felt just before, during, and immediately after. 
• Reach out to an experienced attorney. A lawyer can help you gather information and seek compensation for your injuries. 

To learn more, talk to the experienced Pennsylvania boating accident attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer today.