After the sailing tragedy that claimed the lives of five people off the coast of San Francisco, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Sailing, the survivor and many others are calling for the consideration of greater California boating safety measures. A series of powerful waves thrashed the vessel earlier this month as it rounded a rugged island chain during the Full Crew Farallones Race off San Francisco, sweeping crew members overboard into the frigid Pacific and tossing the boat onto a rocky shoal.
The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered yacht racers and other boaters to "stand down" as a result of this fatal accident, as well as a previous accident two weeks ago that resulted in significant personal injuries. The Coast Guard has stopped issuing permits for ocean racing pending results of the boat accident report, stating, "This temporary safety stand-down from offshore racing will allow the Coast Guard and the offshore racing community to further our common safety goals." "I don't think it's necessarily a bad think for everybody to take a breath and see what can be done. We want to be sure our races are as safe as possible."
One of the survivors, Bryon Chong of Tiburon, agrees, stating that the five crew mates who died might have been saved had they worn safety harnesses. In a letter posted to the website Sailing Anarchy, Chong writes that he and the seven other sailors aboard the 38-foot (11.6-meter) Low Speed Chase should have been tethered to the boat.
"Hopefully, this incident will spur a wider discussion on sailboat safety," Chong concludes.
Boat accidents can arise in a variety of manners - from recreational boating, to slips and falls on cruise ships, to serious accidents involving boat races. Different boating laws and safety measure apply to each type of circumstance. It's important to consult with an experienced California boating lawyer who has in-depth knowledge of the particular involved in your circumstance.
For more information about boating safety or if you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, contact the Sacramento boating lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.