Des Moines, Washington – Boat Capsizes near Redondo Beach Pier

Des Moines, Washington (November 24, 2019) – A fishing boat capsized near Redondo Beach Pier on early Sunday morning, causing the five occupants to land in the water. Crews from South King and Fire responded to the scene, but found that all members of the fishing vessel had safely made it to land. Firefighters evaluated the fishermen for injuries and provided a warming station for them at the back of an ambulance. No lasting injuries were reported in the incident.

The incident was first reported around 2:45 a.m. when people along the pier called in to say that a boat had capsized and there were yells for help coming from the water. The cause of the boat’s capsizing has not been reported.

About Boat Accidents

Like any other vehicle, boats can be involved in dangerous accidents. According to data from the American Boating Association, in the year 2016 a total of 4463 recreational boating accidents were reported, with 701 deaths and 2903 injuries. Additionally, in 80% of accidents where the cause of death was known, the victims of fatal boats accidents drowned, with 83% of drowning victims not wearing a life jacket. Additionally, in 171 known accidents, at least one person was struck by a propeller, resulting in 24 deaths and 175 injuries. As for the type of vessel used in these accidents, the highest percentage of deaths was associated with open motorboats at 47%, followed by kayaks at 13% and canoes with 9%. As for the cause of the accidents, alcohol is know to be the leading known contributing factor to fatal boat accidents. Other cause of accidents included operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure.

Preventing boating accidents comes down to ensuring boat safety regulations are followed. Like with any other vehicle, the vessel itself must be checked to make sure it is safe to use. Proper knowledge of the area where one will be boating is also encouraged. It is also important to make sure that all people on the boat have access to safety devices such as life jackets. Preventing accidents ensures not only our safety, but the safety of others.

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