Luck was certainly on the side of a Navarre family who escaped serious injury in a boating accident earlier this week. Returning in the late hours of the night from a day of fishing, they struck a sand bar resulting in their 23-foot boat to run aground and overturn. Miraculously, none of the 4 passengers were injured. A minor child was taken to Sacred Heart hospital with minor injuries.
We are in the height of the boating season here in Florida. The hot weather has made it even more enticing for boaters to get out and cool off but let's not forget basic boating safety rules. Be sure you are well aware of the waters you will be boating in. There are several online resources to help plan your day of boating. It will provide alerts for various points of the waterways to changes that may have been published in prior maps.
NOAA also publishes a Nautical chart on-line viewer for various waterways that you can download the review if you and your family are planning a day out on the water. Taking time to review the charts to become familiar with the waterway can help keep your trip accident free. Boating during the day is much different than boating at night. Approaching object can easily seen and evasive action can be taken whereas night trips make this much more difficult. Front spot lights and slower speeds should be practiced, particularly in waterways in which you may not be familiar.
