Man overboard and the boating holiday accident claim
Holidays come in all shapes and forms, as do the accidents that can befall unlucky holiday makers. A boating holiday along tranquil British waterways sounds idyllic and restful, but is subject to the risk of accident and subsequent holiday accident claim just like any other vacation.
Caring for and maintenance of the UK’s 2,200 mile network of rivers and canals is carried out by the public corporation know as British Waterways (BW), whose main function is to protect historic waterways, to secure and earn funding, and to gain the interest of those parties who can deliver benefit to the upkeep of rivers and canals. BW receives an annual government grant contributed to by various governmental departments.
BW produces several items of literature regarding boating and waterway activities, including The Boater’s Handbook which is a downloadable guide to rules, regulations and safety when boating.
According to the Handbook, some of the main boating accidents are:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Collisions with other boats, banks, bridges or other structures
- Crushing injuries
- Operating injuries, such as muscle strains and pulls
- Explosions and fires on board
Main boating and waterway hazards are:
- Locks and weirs
- Strong flows, tides and currents
- Man overboard
Man Overboard
Don’t panic, don’t jump in, don’t let others jump in.
Keep sight of the person in the water.
On canals and in shallow water, turn off your boat engine and ask the person if they can touch the bottom. In deeper water or wider waterways, steer slowly and carefully towards the person overboard.
Throw a lifebelt, line or buoy.
Keep a constant eye on propeller proximity to the victim, if there is any risk of the person coming too close, turn the propeller off.
Go alongside the person and help them aboard with a rope, pole or ladder; alternatively get the person to swim or walk to the bank or shore.
Be prepared - Make sure everyone knows the drill, in case it is the skipper who goes overboard. Make sure other crew members can steer and control the boat and that everyone knows where the life saving equipment is located. Practise the drill.
YouClaim and no win no fee holiday accident claims
If you have been injured as a result of a holiday boating accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, we can put you in touch with a specialist personal injury solicitor who will make a compensation claim on your behalf on a no win no fee basis. This means that whatever the outcome of your claim you will never be charged for our services.
All our solicitors have years of experience, are governed by the exacting standards demanded by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and our success rates are high.
You can speak to one of our advisers by calling our free helpline on 0800 10 757 95 or we can always call you back at a time to suit you. We have an e-chat facility or you may wish to fill in our online claim form giving us brief details of your personal injury claim. Whichever way you choose to get in touch with us regarding your holiday accident claim we endeavour to give you the best service possible.
