Tuesday, May 31, 2011

How Was Your Weekend?

Boating season kicks off with multiple mishaps across the country...

Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard

Each Monday (or Tuesday after a long holiday weekend like this), in the spring and summer, we take a look at all the boating incidents from the weekend and share some of the ones that are unique and interesting, or that can provide a reminder about boating safety.

With the weather warming and the extended weekend, you would be correct to guess that there were what seems like an exceptional number of capsizes and accidents over the past few days. No area of the country was spared, as there were boating mishaps in Miami Beach, Niagara Falls, Minnesota and more...

First, The Falls
The Buffalo News and several other media outlets are reporting that two boaters were rescued after their engine died as they drifted towards the brink of Niagara Falls on Monday afternoon. That's scary stuff.

Too Heavy
A boat with seven people onboard sank early Sunday on Lake Vermilion in Minnesota, resulting in one death. The Duluth News Tribune states that the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office thinks the boat may have been overloaded, and there were not enough life vests for the number of passengers, but they did not mention the size of the boat in the article.

Also in Minnesota
KARE11.com reports that three people were rescued from a sinking boat on Big Marine Lake in Washington County early Sunday morning, and the boat's operator was arrested for suspicion of boating while intoxicated.

Miami Gets Hotter
Luckily all four family members made it safely on to another boat before their boat burst into flames Sunday afternoon on the Intercoastal. According to wsvn.com, the boat is a total loss.

Empty Boat Found, Boater Missing
According to wftv.com, nothing but an empty boat was found anchored near a bridge on Lake Minneola on Sunday evening after the 46-year-old boater it belongs to was reported missing.

Check out FirstBoat.com's tips on boating safety, and stay tuned to the Daily Boater for more boating safety and seamanship articles.

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