Aquatic sports and outings are practically a way of life in Hawaii. From surfing to scuba diving, both locals and tourists love to indulge in playtime out on the waves. Part of what makes aquatic adventures so exciting is the fact that they tend to carry some degree of risk.
Safety should always come first on the water, whether you are a tourist enjoying a parasailing adventure or a Hawaiian resident who has a passion for sailing. Properly maintaining all water sports equipment is important, as is investing in adequate safety gear.
When you head out onto the water with someone else, you should make sure that they have performed adequate maintenance on whatever vehicle you’re using. After all, you will be at the mercy of the ocean if the person who owns the boat or equipment did not engage in sufficient maintenance or invest in proper safety gear.
There needs to be enough personal flotation devices for everyone on board
Everyone knows the tragedy of the Titanic. The engineers who designed and built the ship were so certain that it was unsinkable that the people operating the company felt secure in their decision to not have enough lifeboats for everyone on board. The end result was the catastrophic and historic loss of life, as many people died from either drowning or exposure to the cold water.
While hypothermia likely isn’t a danger during the day around Hawaii, drowning and exposure are still very real concerns. Before you head out on a boat or recreational watercraft, you should make sure that there are adequate flotation safety devices for everyone on board. It is also a smart decision to talk to the owner or operator of the vessel about maintenance practices and safety procedures in the event of an emergency.
Cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to the ocean
Tourists, in particular, may be at risk for danger caused by cut-rate services. The desire to save a little money on vacation may lead you to select a provider who does not have adequate insurance and licensing. That attempt to save money could end up having tragic consequences for your family.
If there is any kind of issue or emergency, there may not be adequate flotation devices to keep everyone safe. More importantly, if there aren’t procedures in place to call for help, the delay in response could mean the difference between a somewhat frightening adventure on the water and a tragedy. Although the ideal is to avoid any sort of aquatic accident, it is important to understand your legal rights if something tragic happens out on the ocean.
Even if you are a tourist who signed a liability waiver, the company that you travel with has a responsibility to adhere to basic maintenance and safety standards. If they fail in this regard, you may have grounds for holding them accountable for injuries or losses you suffer.
From hospital bills to lost wages that would have come from a deceased loved one, it is often possible to hold negligent aquatic sports companies and boaters responsible for the damages they caused.