$22.1M SETTLEMENT catastrophic brain injury due to a defective product $6.5M SETTLEMENT catastrophic catastrophic personal injury case settled in federal court $5.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic car accident involving a defective tire $3.0M VERDICT catastrophic defective tire case - Bridgestone + Ford $2.2M SETTLEMENT catastrophic pedestrian accident resulting in a pelvic injury $1.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic automobile accident fatality case $1.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic defective tire accident resulting in a brain injury
Espanol
(855) 529-0269

Confusion About Flags Leads to Boat Hitting Snorkler and Severing His Arm

Posted on

In 2014, Florida boating regulations changed their requirements for how divers notify vessels they are in an area. The legislation was passed as a means of increasing diver visibility. The previous law required only a “divers down flag” and divers had to stay within a certain range of the flags. Now, divers who are diving independently of a vessel may choose to use the flags or a buoy. Divers who are diving from a vessel may only use flags. Vessels must maintain a certain distance from the flags for diver safety. This distance for either divers or vessels is typically within 100 feet of the buoy or the flag.

The Palm Beach Post reports that reports differ on whether or not a boater saw diving flags before hitting a snorkeler.

On Thanksgiving Day, a 36-foot Yellowfin was operating south along the Palm Beach Coast with 30-year-old Daniel Stanton at the helm. The boat ran over 25-year-old marine biologist Carter Viss as he was snorkeling.

Viss’ right arm was severed, and he also suffered injuries to his legs. He is still in the intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Stanton said that he did not see any diving flags that would warn him of Viss’ location. A statement from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission stated that upon noticing dive flags, the vessel began to slow down, and this is when it struck Viss.

The Yellowfin has been taken by the FWC as a part of its investigation. A police officer made a statement that he observed several cans of Truly Hard Seltzer on board the vessel.

Witnesses say that there was at least one flag in the water and as many as three when the boat ran over Viss. Stanton stopped after striking Viss, bringing him on board his boat and taking him to the beach. Another snorkeler found Viss’ arm, which has been reattached.

Boating Accidents News:
Boating Death Deemed Accident Due to Alcohol Consumption, Speeding

Florida has the highest number of recreational boats registered per capita in the United States. Because of this, they have developed a number of laws to keep boaters safe. These laws include carrying identification while operating a vessel. People born on or after January 1, 1988 must complete a NASBLA-approved voter education course prior to...

Brave Boy Swims For An Hour To Save His Family

A young boy was hailed as a hero for his efforts in saving his family after a boating accident. WBTV has the remarkable story. The young boy’s name is Chase Poust. The seven-year-old went out with his father and his four-year-old sister to fish on St. John’s River. The boat was anchored in the river...

Florida Leads Nation in Boating Accidents According to Coast Guard

Florida is geographically located so that it separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean. This makes Florida a particularly popular haven for those who enjoy boating. Florida ranks behind Michigan and California in terms of the number of boats registered in the state. When it comes to boating rules, some are similar to...

Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers Share Advice Before The Holiday

There are nearly 1 million registered vessels in Florida, and that means a lot of chances for a crash this Memorial Day weekend. WPTV and Florida Fish and Wildlife want to share some safety tips for being out on the water. Last year, there were 836 boat crashes, a 16% increase over the year before....

Boating Accidents Blog Posts:
In 2012, there were 704 reported boating accidents in Florida and 55 fatalities, reports the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). Top Boating Safety Tips for Teens

In 2012, there were 704 reported boating accidents in Florida and 55 fatalities, reports the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). Boating is a way of life for many Florida residents, including teens, and a common way to kick back and relax. It’s vital that we help our kids learn sound boating safety tips...

Tubing Safety Checklist

You can double the fun of a boating trip by including water tubing, but only when you follow the right safety steps! Before you climb aboard an inflatable vessel, make sure you’re prepared – make sure everyone and everything is in top shape for a fun day on the lake or at the beach! Inspecting...