| Americans really like their things. They dream of | | | | can happen to anyone, in any type of boat, under |
| owning the fastest, slickest cars and the newest and | | | | any type of conditions. Accidents can happen just as |
| chicest handbags. But the ultimate status symbol is | | | | easily on an impressive yacht on the ocean as they |
| the boat. Owning a boat is a symbol to others that | | | | might to lushes on a party boat. While the factors |
| you have truly made it. But while boats may make | | | | surrounding accidents differ greatly, there are certain |
| you feel real nice about your current position in the | | | | things that can lead to injury or death regardless of |
| social stratosphere, they are also very dangerous. | | | | the type of boat you have. Some boating dangers to |
| Your fun trip out in the new motor boat or yacht | | | | watch out for include:o Boating under the |
| can end up being the fateful trip that ended in the | | | | influence-more than a third of all accidents on boats |
| loss of a limb or paralysis. | | | | involve a driver who is drunk. Every state has |
| Boating Accidents | | | | responded to this problem by making boating under |
| The term "boating accident" is actually much more of | | | | the influence a crime, but despite all the legal |
| an umbrella term than you may have originally | | | | repercussions of engaging in this activity, people still |
| expected. The United States Coast Guard defines it | | | | do it all the time.o Boating in severe weather |
| as one of three different scenarios.o A boat | | | | conditions-many boaters light up when the sky is |
| passenger dies or becomes severely injuredo A boat | | | | bright with lightening because a thunder storm or |
| passenger disappears and death or injury is | | | | other extreme weather conditions add a certain |
| suspectedo A vessel causes or sustains damage | | | | degree of excitement to their boating experience. |
| So, as you can see, a boating accident is a far | | | | While it might add excitement, it can also add death |
| broader term than a car accident which must involve | | | | or disabling injury.o Toxic fumes-motor boats product |
| the collision of the vehicle into something else. | | | | a large amount of toxic carbon monoxide. Boating |
| When the term boating accident is used, many | | | | enthusiasts should be aware of their exposure levels |
| people might think of drunken teens in a high speed | | | | and take proper precautions. |
| motorboat acting irresponsibly. But boating accidents | | | | |