How Can Improper Anchoring Contribute to an Accident?

LAW BLOG  •

August 18, 2016

In 2009, an investigation into a high-profile boating accident in the Gulf of Mexico discovered that the boat capsized because the operator anchored it improperly and then failed to use appropriate care when trying to retrieve the anchor. Instead of working with the anchor line, the operator decided to gun the engine to try to force the anchor up. Instead, the boat flipped and tossed all occupants into the water. The incident resulted in three passenger deaths, including two NFL players. Only one individual survived.

Improper anchoring includes any incident in which a vessel captain fails to use the proper technique when setting and retrieving an anchor. In many cases, including the fatal 2009 incident, inexperience and a lack of care contribute to such mishaps.

Improper Anchoring Accident Causes

In addition to making reckless decisions during anchor retrieval, other improper anchoring habits can contribute to boating accidents. Consider some of the most common anchor-related incidents:

  • Owners fail to use the right kind or size of anchor. Bodies of water and boat types and sizes affect the type of anchors boaters use. In a lake, ocean, or river, verify that you have the recommended anchor for the circumstances before you attempt to set or retrieve it. The wrong anchor can increase a boat’s risk of floating away or becoming entangled in submerged terrain.
  • Operators don’t pay attention to the tides. Tide levels affect how anchors behave in the ocean. When the tide comes in, you need more anchor line. When it goes out, you need to take up the slack. In addition to improper anchoring in tides, boat operators must consider the depth of the area at high tide—if the tide goes out, a boat may not have enough depth to maneuver.
  • Boaters fail to use enough anchors. In many circumstances, including in crowded boating areas, you may need to use two anchors at the front in a V-shape. To secure the vessel well, you may need three anchors at times—two at the front and one in the rear. Without a secure anchorage, a boat may drift at night, move during high winds, or swing around and hit other boats or objects.
  • Captains fail to remove the anchor properly. As in the 2009 case, technique matters in both setting and retrieving an anchor. You should never race the engine in an attempt to jerk the anchor free. If you can’t pull the anchor free from directly overhead, there are certain motoring techniques you can use to try to break the anchor away from the floor.

However, only experienced boaters should attempt any motoring techniques, as they can result in serious accidents if improperly handled. Those unpracticed in anchor retrieval methods may need to add a float to the anchor line and try again later or cut the line and leave it.

Avoiding Anchor-Related Boat Accidents

If you’re on the water as a vessel operator, you’re responsible for using good boating practices from the moment you pull off the trailer and away from the dock until you and all your passengers disembark. If you fail to use reasonable care while operating a vessel and an accident occurs, you could face liability for any resulting property damage and personal injuries.

Vessel operators can easily find boating safety and information courses online and in local water recreation areas. Take the time to learn proper boating safety before you take a boat out in the ocean, on a lake, or down a river. Use extreme caution and avoid unsafe boating habits, such as drinking and operating a vessel.

We Can Help

Most boating accidents, particularly those involving improper anchoring, are highly preventable. If you suffer an injury during a boating accident, discuss your legal rights with a qualified personal injury attorney.

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