Handling Accidents and Breakdowns on the Water

All things fail at some time or other, and boats are certainly no exception. Many happy boating days become disastrous for some families because their vessel has some physical or mechanical problem. The more time you spend on your boat, the higher the chances that it might happen to you someday.

Keeping your boat in top shape is the best plan you can have as far as preventing a malfunction in the middle of the lake or ocean, but don't think that has you covered.

The list of unexpected events that can lead to a breakdown is as vast as, well, the ocean. A rock just below the surface of the water has led to many boating mishaps from cracked hulls to broken props, and this is just one of the many causes of a breakdown.

Insurance against Breakdowns

Sometimes people forget to insure their boats during the times when they are using them for recreation. If your season for boating only covers three or four months, don't think that you have to pay for coverage during those times when it is inactive. Ask your agent about seasonal coverage to reduce your premiums.

Boat insurance coverage is very similar to an extended warranty on your car. It covers towing and repairs, and in many cases, you can get it fixed while you wait, saving at least part of your day on the water. Speak with your agent to see exactly what type coverage is available.

Be sure you understand what the exclusions in coverage are. All insurance policies have some things that are not covered that you might not consider if you don't read your policy. The following is a list of some of the more common exclusions you might have.

* Any breakdown when the claim comes days after the time of the occurrence;

* Any repairs made to your watercraft without the approval of the insurance carrier;

* Claims relating to inappropriate behavior on the part of the boat's captain or crew or guests;

* Any claim resulting from lack of proper maintenance of the boat;

* Costs incurred in the first few days of coverage because there is usually a grace period;

* More than a set number of breakdowns per insurance period.

Protect Your Valuables

Everyone has waterproof bags for storing things while they are on their boat, but many people don't think to put important items in the bag before some disaster occurs. Some mishaps happen in a split second and they don't allow you the luxury of time to plan your next move. The first thing you should do before you leave the dock is to secure all your valuable items.

If you have several cell phones in the boat, make sure that one is in the waterproof bag all the time and fully charged. Make sure the numbers to call for help on the water are sealed inside the bag, including law enforcement agencies, relatives and friends, local marinas, and any other numbers that will help in case you cannot make contact on your first call. Do not lock the waterproof bag with your valuables away in a compartment, but allow it to be in a position to clear the boat should an accident occur causing the boat to sink.

Be sure that all flotation devices are easily accessible in the event of an emergency. Just carrying life vests is not a safety feature if you can't find them or get to them quickly when you need them.

Remain Calm in an Emergency

Some people get so emotional in times of an accident or breakdown that they lose all rational thought, and this can lead to making a situation much worse than it has to be. One of the best pieces of advice that anyone can heed while boating is to expect the unexpected and have a plan of what steps to take in an emergency.

Stay as calm as you possibly can during a crisis because others are depending on you, and they may not lose their cool if you don't lose yours.

If your boating outing is a family event, you should discuss the procedures for everyone to take in the case of an unplanned event or emergency. Remember the fire escape plan that you review periodically in the event that your home or work catches fire? The importance is letting everyone know what to do quickly in a disaster situation. Take the same approach with being out on the water: be prepared.

Be sure to have emergency flags so other boats can see that you have a problem should you break down. Just waving to a passing motor boat does not ensure that the captain or passengers of the other boat notice that something is wrong. If you plan for the unexpected, you know there might only be one boat that passes you when your boat stops working or has problems.

Your outings should be fun events, so try to take any as "surprises" in stride, and prepare yourself for the unfortunate events that may take place.

About the Author

Jane Warren is an avid outdoor water enthusiast who enjoys boating, swimming, diving, towable tubes, and just about anything else related to outdoor water sports. She spends part of the year in Grand Cayman, where she has a boat that gets plenty of use almost every day. She and her husband are both certified scuba divers; Jane competes in the swim competitions sponsored throughout the year on the island; and she and her friends enjoy being pulled on the inflatable tubes behind their boat.

Out of this love of water sports, Jane started TowableTubesDirect.com, a website that provides information and reviews on water sports equipment including towable tubes. One brand of equipment highlighted on her site is Aquaglide. A current best seller in the Aquaglide line is the GT 6 person tube - perfect for up to 6 riders!