A lot of boaters head for the open waters not even knowing the laws that needed to be followed to keep everyone safe.
That is probably what happened when an 18-year-old man got critically injured when his father’s 25-foot power boat crashed into his own 18-foot boat.
According to officials, the boat accident occurred after the father lost control during a boat race in Mission Bay.
After the collision, the smaller boat continued speeding out of control until it crashed onto Ski Beach.
The son was pulled from the wreckage by lifeguards and was found unconscious and bleeding.
The father and the two others aboard his boat were not harmed.
Although the San Diego Police Harbor unit is still investigating the boating accident, Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum stressed that a lot of boaters disregard boating regulations including speed laws.
According to California boating laws, the maximum speed for motorboats that are within 100 feet off the bather and within 200 feet off a bathing beach, diving platform or passenger and boat landings is 5 miles per hour.
When there is no speed limit posted, the law asks boaters to operate their boat in a manner that will not endanger other people.
Having a lookout is also recommended as the operator cannot see all hazards on the water.
The law also discourages high speed boat races especially in confined, congested and restricted areas.
This should teach the father some lessons, in fact, he should have known better in the first place.
Engaging your son in a boat race is already negligent on its own, but letting your young 18-year old son race on a boat alone without guidance is worse.
And when he lost control, the boats may have been in close proximity of each other for it to have crashed on the other.
Now he could only regret his actions and pray that his son makes a full recovery.
That is probably what happened when an 18-year-old man got critically injured when his father’s 25-foot power boat crashed into his own 18-foot boat.
According to officials, the boat accident occurred after the father lost control during a boat race in Mission Bay.
After the collision, the smaller boat continued speeding out of control until it crashed onto Ski Beach.
The son was pulled from the wreckage by lifeguards and was found unconscious and bleeding.
The father and the two others aboard his boat were not harmed.
Although the San Diego Police Harbor unit is still investigating the boating accident, Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum stressed that a lot of boaters disregard boating regulations including speed laws.
According to California boating laws, the maximum speed for motorboats that are within 100 feet off the bather and within 200 feet off a bathing beach, diving platform or passenger and boat landings is 5 miles per hour.
When there is no speed limit posted, the law asks boaters to operate their boat in a manner that will not endanger other people.
Having a lookout is also recommended as the operator cannot see all hazards on the water.
The law also discourages high speed boat races especially in confined, congested and restricted areas.
This should teach the father some lessons, in fact, he should have known better in the first place.
Engaging your son in a boat race is already negligent on its own, but letting your young 18-year old son race on a boat alone without guidance is worse.
And when he lost control, the boats may have been in close proximity of each other for it to have crashed on the other.
Now he could only regret his actions and pray that his son makes a full recovery.
