Operation Dry Water Campaign Targets BUI This Weekend
By admin on June 22, 2011
Summer has finally arrived and so has the Maryland recreational boating season. Boating is a great social opportunity to get together with friends and family and just relax and have fun. But, too much fun can potentially ruin your entire summer. Boating under the influence (BUI) has been gaining notice in recent years as a serious problem. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 330 boating accidents in 2010 that involved alcohol-use. These accidents resulted in 293 injuries and 126 fatalities. In order to decrease these numbers and to educated the public about the dangers of BUI, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), along with the states, U.S. Coast Guard, and other organizations, launched Operation Dry Water, which is in effect June 24-26.
According to OperationDryWater.org, Operation Dry Water focuses on BUI enforcement and education each year during weekends before 4th of July. Last year, 322 BUI arrests were made and 4,171 citations issued during the Operation Dry Water campaign.
During Operation Dry Water, there will be more marine patrols as well as extensive BUI sobriety testing, including breathalyzer tests and blood tests. Marine patrol officers can also test boaters in a seated position, thanks to a three-year study by the Southern California Research Institute which standardized the tests. If a boat operator is found to be BUI, the boat’s voyage will be terminated, the operator may be arrested and the boat itself may be impounded. Other potential penalties include: fines, imprisonment, loss of boating privileges, and, in some cases, even the loss of driving privileges.
Boating under the influence is reckless, negligent, and illegal. If you or a loved one has suffered injury as the result of the actions of an impaired boat operator in Maryland, you may be entitled to financial compensation for losses and damages. Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” is an experienced Baltimore boating accident attorney and can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact Mr. Heisler today to learn more at 877-228-4878.
Maryland Boy Killed in Jet Ski Accident
By injuheis on July 20, 2010
An 11-year-old boy from Springettsbury Township recently died as a result of his injuries from a jet ski accident earlier this month, according to the York Daily Record.
The boy was jet skiing in the Irish Creek and stopped on his jet ski. While he was stopped, he was struck by a 12-year-old boy who was with him at the time. He was airlifted to the hospital with brain injuries and tragically died later. The 12-year-old was not injured.
Jet skis can be much more dangerous than other types of watercraft, primarily because the rider is exposed. Some typical injuries to jet ski riders include chest or head trauma, drowning, spinal cord damage, carbon monoxide poisoning, and broken bones.
One major problem with jet skis is that they lack braking ability, and while jet ski drivers are coasting to a stop, they tend to lose the ability to steer. Some of the primary causes of Maryland jet ski accidents include operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, steering loss and speeding.
Jet skis can be especially dangerous for children. In Maryland, it is illegal for anyone under age 16 to operate a personal watercraft. According to the Coalition of Parents and Families for Personal Watercraft Safety, 50 percent of all jet ski injuries involving children are moderate to severe. In the year 2000, jet skis represented 19 percent of registered boats but 45 percent of boating injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a jet ski or boating accident, you may have claims against not only another person involved in the accident, but also against the jet ski or boat manufacturer. With the help of an experienced Maryland boating accident attorney, you may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. To learn more about your legal rights regarding boating accidents in Maryland, contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free consultation by calling 877-228-4878 today.
Police Looking for Boaters in Boat and Run Accident
By injuheis on July 6, 2010
The Maryland Natural Resources Police are searching for a boat that was involved in a hit and run boating accident that occurred near the Chesapeake Bay at Thomas Point, according to The Baltimore Sun.
A powerboat traveling at about 40 knots hit the stern of an anchored sailboat, knocking the sailboat’s owner into the water and breaking both of his legs in the boating accident in Maryland. The man said he attempted to avoid the collision by diving underneath the surface of the water but the boat stuck both of his legs. He was rescued by Natural Resources Police officers who jumped into the water as he started to sink beneath the surface.
NRP officers are looking for a white 21 foot Donzi speedboat, which carried a couple in their 30s or 40s. Under Maryland law, boaters are required to travel at safe speeds and to have a lookout.
According to statistics, most boating accidents in the United States are caused by collisions. In 2007, there were 1,329 boating accidents that were caused by collisions. Those accidents killed 66 people and injured 953. One of the most typical causes of a collision is the failure to keep a proper lookout.
Those who have been injured or killed in a Maryland boating collision as the result of someone else’s negligence are entitled to compensation. That compensation can include sums for medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, lost income, and more. An experienced Maryland personal injury attorney can help obtain the award you deserve. Contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, today at 877-228-4878 for a free consultation.