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Fort Myers Boating Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. says, " Boating accidents can happen quickly. Someone falls overboard and is then struck by a propeller. If you, or someone you know, is injured as the result of the propeller system of a boat, jet ski or any other watercraft, you have the right to seek compensation."

On May 13, 2015 the United States Coast Guard (USCG) released their annual recreational boating accident statistics for 2014. Total boating accidents were 4,064; injures 2,678 and 610 fatalities. Of these accidents and fatalities, the USCG reported 153 propeller accidents, 148 propeller injuries and 22 propeller fatalities.

According to the Propeller Guard Information Center, the summer and fall of 2014 saw many  propeller accidents across the United States. Here are three of those which occurred in Florida:

• August 16 Eileen Sullivan at 56 year-old from Virginia was standing in a dinghy when it was struck by a wave. She fell into the propeller. She was struck on her arm and face.
• August 21 Adrian Winchel 62 was diving with a spear gun in about 30 feet of water. When he surfaced, a boat was coming at him. The propeller fractured his right ankle and cut off a chunk of his heel
• October 14 a Miami Beach man was snorkeling off Haulover Inlet when he was struck by the propeller of a passing boat.

The USCG warns of the hidden danger of boat propellers. They report that a typical three-blade propeller running at 3,200 rpm can inflict 160 impacts in one second and the typical recreational propeller can travel from head to toe on an average person in less than one tenth of a second. Swimmers, water skiers, tubers, anglers, and wake boarders are all vulnerable on Florida's waterways.

Recommendations from the USCG and the Boat Owners Association of the U.S. for boat skippers:

1. Wear your engine cut-off switch lanyard and life jacket at ALL times.(When the lanyard is removed from the switch, the engine will shut off.)
2. Assign the task of watching out around the propeller area to someone while swimmers are present.
3. Consider purchasing propeller safety devices for the boat.
4. Skippers are to make sure everyone is seated safety inside the boat in case the boat bounces or lurches suddenly.
5. Slow down when encountering a large wake.
6. In Florida, vessel operators must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from divers-down flags or buoys on open waters and at least 100 feet from flags or buoys on rivers, inlets or navigation channels. Vessels approaching divers-down flags or buoys closer than 300 feet in open water and 100 feet in rivers, inlets and navigation channels must slow to idle speed.
7. Do not let anyone onto the swim platform of the boat while the engine is in gear.
8. When launching or un-grounding a boat, keep people in the water away from the stern and prop.
9. Never allow passengers to board or exit the boat from the water when engines are on or idling.
10. Educate passengers about the location and danger of the propellers.
11. Call attention to and discuss any propeller warning labels around the boat.
12. Be especially alert when operating in congested areas and never enter swimming zones.
13. Take extra precautions near boats that are towing skiers or tubers.
14. Never permit passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, seatbacks, or other locations where they might fall overboard.
15. Children should be watched carefully while onboard.
16. Establish clear rules for swim platform use, boarding ladders, and seating (if possible, passengers should remain seated at all times).
17. If someone falls overboard, STOP! Then slowly turn the boat around, and keep the person in sight as you approach. Assign a passenger to continuously monitor the person in the water. Turn your engine off FIRST and then bring the person to safety. Never reverse your boat to pick someone up out of the water.

Boating safety agencies, along with the USCG, believe that user awareness and training is one aspect which is needed to prevent propeller injuries and deaths along with propeller avoidance technology such as:

• Wireless cutoff switches
• Propeller guards
• Ringed propellers
• Propulsion alternatives
• Interlocks
• Sensors
• Anti-feedback steering

Contact a marine professional for more information on these propeller avoidance systems.

Fort Myers Boating Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.