Boating is a fun pastime and exciting weekend getaway for many in the New England areas. Boats, however, are large and powerful and can often be dangerous, leading to serious injury if not operated safely and properly. Even when using all the correct safety measures operators and passengers can easily find themselves in trouble. Boating accidents can occur on boats for recreational use as well as on ships, including cruise ships, U.S. Navy vessels, and those involving maritime workers.

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These boating accidents can happen because of many reasons. In 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that the primary reasons for recreational boating accidents included careless/reckless operation, operator inattention, operator inexperience, passenger or skier behavior, speeding, and alcohol use.