There are many different causes of Washington State boat accidents. However, many people are only familiar with some of the more common causes, such as operator mistakes, boating under the influence, or adverse weather conditions. In some cases, WA boating accidents may be caused by the mistakes made by the boat's builder. Last month, a Snohomish County was killed in a boating accident that may have been caused by a Washington boat manufacturer. 

Washington State resident 48-year-old Cindy Tate was an experienced boater using the Lake Stevens recreation area in good weather in July when her boat flipped over, killing the woman and injuring nine other passengers. According to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, the boat was taking on water and sunk much faster than it should have. These anomalies led authorities to investigate the boat's manufacturer. Tiger Trax boats like Tate's were built by Phil Warnock in the late 1990s and have a history of malfunctions and sinkings. According to former workers at the boat manufacturer, the builder used low-cost foam on the boat's hulls, making them unsafe and making them more likely to take on water and decrease buoyancy. Snohomish County will investigate the boat's make, although they will also investigate whether the boat was overloaded with ten people. Also boat maker Warnock has not been in trouble for fatal boating accidents in the past, his boats have been known to take on water and his business has been in trouble for fraud in the past. Warnock now makes boats under the brand name Mirage.

via www.wainjurylaw.com

One reason Washington has a higher boating fatality rate than other states around the nation is due to water temperature.  Did you know "cold water" is defined as water less than 70 degrees fahrenhiet?  Most water wthin this state rarely rises above this.

Your chance of surviving cold water immersion depends on having sufficient flotation to keep your head above water, controlling your breathing, having timely rescue by yourself or others, and retaining body heat.  Water conducts heat from your body 25 times faster than air.  Moving water 40 times faster than still water!

Three Simple Steps Can Save Lives

1. Prepare by always wearing a secured life jacket.
2. Wear layered clothing for insulation.
3. Equip your boat with a means for re-entry (ladder, sling, etc.) to use if you should fall into the water. 

Practice reboarding procedures on your own vessel so that you know you can reboard quickly should you fall in. 

You can learn how to survive a cold water immersion and the various stages the body goes through when plunged into cold water by watching the following videos.  Be prepared by understanding the dangers of our northwest waters.  It can occur anytime during the year, and it may save your life! 

Here is a link to a news story about the dangers of cold water in the Pacific Northwest from KATU, Portland, OR.

Have a cold water experience of your own to share?  Please post a comment.

In 2005, a law was passed requiring boat operators to take a boater safety education course in order to operate a boat in Washington state. The law applies to operators of motorboats with 15 horsepower or greater. (RCW 79A.60.640) 

Boaters can take an education course in a classroom, online or at home. Once the course is completed and test passed, boaters need to send a completed application for their card.

If boaters already have taken an approved boating class, they only need to send in their application with supporting documents to get a Boater Education Card.

Take an approved boater education course in the classroom, online or at home.
Complete and submit the application for a Boater Education Card along with fee and supporting documents.

Here is a link to frequently asked questions about the Mandatory Boater Education law.

For any further questions call the Washington State Parks Boating Programs at (360) 586-6592 or send an e-mail to boating@parks.wa.gov