A 55-year-old man has died in a Florida boating accident in the Gulf of Mexico. Richard Green, a New Port Richey man, was returning from a fishing expedition with friends when the engine of their boat quit.
The boaters tried to anchor the 22-foot fishing vessel but a large wave overturned it. Green and three others were thrown in the water. None of them were wearing life vests.
Although boating is an activity that takes place all year round in Florida, more boaters tend to populate the waters in the spring and summer. Unfortunately, vessel malfunction, negligent operation, boater inexperience, poor weather conditions, and rough waters have been known to turn an enjoyable expedition into a catastrophic one. Other common causes of Florida boating accidents include the vessel capsizing, speeding, boating collisions, falls overboard, and alcohol consumption.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 85% of the 65 boating accident victims who died in the state in 2009 were adults. 73% of those who died were able swimmers. Florida law mandates that anyone riding a boat on state waters needs to have a United States Coast Guard-approved flotation device within easy access. On any vessel shorter than 26 feet, kids age 6 and under have to wear a life vest.
If you believe that a boating accident occurred because someone else was negligent or reckless, you should speak with an experienced Ft. Lauderdale boating accident law firm as soon as possible. Other boating-related accidents that can cause serious Miami personal injury:
• Jet ski accidents
• Parasailing accidents
• Kite surfing accidents
• Water skiing accidents
• Waverunner accidents
• Wind surfing accidents
• Tubing accidents
• Cruise ship accidents
• Diving accidents
• Drunk boating
• A vessel crashing into the dock
FWC investigating fatal boat accident, ABC Action News, April 16, 2011
Former Middleboro man dies in Florida boating accident, Enterprise News, April 19, 2011
Recent Drowning Highlights Risks for Boaters, The Ledger, April 22, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
More Blog Posts:
14-Year-Old Injured in Palm Beach County Boating Accident Has Part of Her Leg Amputated, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, February 8, 2011
Man Charged in Boating Accident that Injured Florida Diver, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, January 9, 2010
Fort Myers Man Dies in Boating Accident, Cause of Death Unknown, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, December 29, 2009
Contact our Palm Beach boating accident lawyers today.