2 Killed, 10 Injured In Boat Crash Near Key Biscayne
Many people don’t think about the dangers of boating accidents. After all, boats don’t have to travel on narrow roads with traffic signals. There’s a huge expanse of water for boats to navigate. Are crashes really an issue?
Yes, they are. Consider that 2 million boats and other watercraft navigate Florida’s waterways every year. A collision with another boat can cause serious injuries and death. In fact, two people were recently killed in a crash in Florida.
The fatal accident happened near Key Biscayne, an island town near Miami, on the evening of June 17. A survivor of the crash notified the U.S. Coast Guard and informed them that there were 12 people in the water.
Coast Guard crews used boats and helicopters to rescue 10 people. One body was pulled from the water. A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crew recovered another body the following morning. Two of the survivors are in critical condition with unknown injuries. The conditions of the other survivors are unknown.
Twelve people from the two boats were all launched out into the water. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, and the Miami-Dade Police Department all assisted with the search and rescue mission. The cause of the crash is unknown and still under investigation.
Causes of Boating Accidents
Boating accidents can be caused by various factors, but most are caused by:
- Being involved in a collision. Just because there are miles and miles of open water doesn’t mean a crash won’t happen. Speeding, poor visibility, and poor boat operation can cause serious accidents.
- Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Many people like to party while on boats. However, this is an unsafe activity, as alcohol use is involved in roughly one-third of boating fatalities.
- Not wearing a lifejacket. Close to 90% of drownings are because boaters were not wearing a life jacket, even though there were plenty on board. Because you likely won’t have time to put on a life jacket in an emergency, you should keep one on every time you’re in a boat. The boat could crash or sink, or you could accidentally fall overboard.
- Lack of experience. Florida has surprisingly relaxed laws on who may pilot a boat on state waterways. There is no minimum age limit on who may operate a boat in Florida. However, those under the age of 30 must have completed an approved boating course from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Many operators do not have certification however.
Contact Us Today
Boats can be a lot of fun. There’s nothing like a day on the water relaxing on a boat, but when an operator is negligent, fun can easily turn into danger.
If you have been injured in a boat crash, the Florida boat accident attorneys at Meldon Law can assess your case and help you get full and fair compensation for your damages. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or calling (800) 373-8000. We have three offices to serve you: Gainesville, Ocala, and Fort Lauderdale.
Source:
nytimes.com/2022/06/18/us/key-biscayne-boat-crash.html
