Orlando Boaters Urged to Take Approved Safety Course

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on February 21, 2014

Our Orlando personal injury attorneys recently read a very disturbing statistic taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s “How to Boat Smart: Florida Boating Safety Course.” On page 39 of the publication, there is an “Accident Pyramid” diagram, which shows how different factors lead to Florida boating accidents. The diagram shows that mechanical failure and other problems with equipment cause only ten percent of boating accidents in our state. However, it shows that 75 percent of boating accidents are caused by human error, such as:

• Boating while under the influence of intoxicants
• Traveling too fast for conditions and waterway speed limits
• Improper boat handling techniques
• Operator inexperience
• Failing to have proper safety equipment on board
• Negligence
• Other errors, most of which can be prevented if operators enroll in the FFWCC’s Boat Florida Course.

The Course is available online and is approved by the United States Coast Guard and the National Association of Boating Law Administrators and meets National Boating Education Standards. It covers many different aspects of boating safety, including Florida boating laws and regulations, proper safety equipment to have on a vessel, how to recognize and assist boaters in distress and other important topics. The FFWCC site at http://www.boat-ed.com/florida/approved_boating_course.html also includes a helpful study guide to help responsible boaters prepare for and pass the course, as well as FAQs and other helpful information.

Mr. Cunningham urges all readers to take the online course and contribute to making Florida waterways safer for everyone. He and other Orlando boating accident lawyers would much prefer to counsel fewer boating accident victims this year and in the years ahead, as that would mean that we have fewer boating accidents!

If you or a close family member is injured in an accident caused by a negligent boater and you would like to speak with Orlando boating accident attorney James O. Cunningham, you can schedule a free initial consultation by calling him today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.