Boating accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Carefully planning before you get on a boat can decrease the risk of potential accidents. Collisions Collisions can mean significant serious problems out on the water. Frequently, collisions occur because of a lack of operator attention. Sometimes, collisions occur due to drinking while boating, which Florida law makes illegal. Collisions can mean severe damage to both the boats involved in the collision and the people in those boats. Sometimes, collisions can damage the boats so much that they can no longer make it back to shore, which may mean an even higher risk of drowning and other injuries. Boat Problems Sometimes, problems with the boat can lead to serious issues out on the water. Engine failure or broken parts, for example, may lead to potent hazards out on the water. In some cases, boaters may end up in the water due to the inability to operate the boat or a mechanical failure that causes the boat to explode. Mechanical problems may also make the boat dangerous to operate. Boat problems may occur for a variety of reasons. The cause of the problem may determine who bears liability for any boating incident that results in injuries due to that mechanical problem. The Owner of the Boat Many Tampa residents and visitors choose to rent boats when they go out on the water, rather than owning and maintaining their own—especially if they only need a boat for a brief visit to the Tampa area. When renters choose to borrow a boat from a rental agency, they assume they will get one free of damage, that they can use safely. When an error occurs due to poor maintenance on the boat owner’s part, including failure to take care of regular maintenance or ignoring minor problems that eventually cause more serious issues, the boat’s owner may bear liability for the incident. The Manufacturer of the Boat Sometimes, mechanical errors occur due to errors in the manufacturing process. Boat owners may find that manufacturing errors can pose a serious problem, especially if the error occurs unexpectedly. When a manufacturing error causes a serious incident, the boat manufacturer may bear liability for that incident. Debris or Hazards in the Water Some water hazards, including debris in areas of open water, boaters may simply have to keep a lookout for and avoid when possible. In private waters, on the other hand, owners may bear responsibility for clearing debris and offering a safe ride through the area for anyone that visits. Sometimes, debris and hazards in the water may cause serious accidents, and the owner of that area may bear partial or full liability for the incident. Private owners, including companies, may also bear liability for failing to properly warn guests and visitors about low water levels, which could spell disaster for some types of boats. Weather Hazards Tampa weather can quickly turn dangerous and unpredictable, especially for boaters who ignore weather reports or fail to take the current conditions into account before going out on the water. People do not generally bear direct liability for the weather itself. However, boaters, especially boating companies that routinely take guests out for rides, may bear liability if they fail to keep an eye on the weather and end up taking their boaters out in dangerous conditions. Dangerous Behavior Some boaters behave dangerously out on the road for a variety of reasons. They may drink, engage in dangerous behaviors, or speed, especially around other boats or while trying to complete tight maneuvers. Dangerous behavior on the part of a driver can increase the risk of injury to passengers on the boat or others in the area. The driver may bear liability for accidents caused by those dangerous activities, especially in cases where the driver deliberately engages in those dangerous behaviors.