Boating Accidents: Survivor Writes Book on Fatal Florida Nightmare
The sole survivor of one of the most famous boating accidents of the century thus far, which killed two NFL players and a former college football player has released a book about the tragedy. Nick Schuyler tells the details of the February 2009 fishing trip on the Gulf of Mexico in a book titled Not Without Hope. This is the story of four men on a 21-foot fishing boat that tipped over on the open Gulf.
A person acting without due care and attention while operating a boat can be held responsible for property damage, medical and other expenses sustained as a result of a boat accident. Negligence implies the operator failed to adhere to the safety rules and procedures, which must be followed at all times in order to prevent boating accidents. The operator of a boat must file a report for any boating accident that causes significant injury or property damage.
Thousands of people are injured or killed in boating accidents each year. The principal contributing factors to all reported boating accidents are negligence and irresponsible operation, operator distraction, inexperience and extreme speed. These accidents include overturning, falling overboard, crashes, sinking/flooding, explosions, disappearance and fire.
Drowning is the cause of most of the fatalities, because victims were not wearing their life vests when the accident occurred. In order to prevent boat accidents, each boat should be outfitted with floaters so that those who go overboard can be rescued right away. Owners should be responsible in maintaining their boats in good condition, and installing equipment such as fire extinguishers, flare guns and radios to minimize the incidence of damage and injuries.
Nick Schuyler’s story has a bittersweet ending: while the Coast Guard rescued him after 46 hours; he lost three of his buddies to a horrible boating accident. If you follow the rules at all times, even if you have an accident, the devastating effects will be minimized.