Every Fourth of July, Florida’s waterways fill with celebration, and all too often, disaster. Holidays, like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are among the most popular boating days of the year, but because of this, also tend to be the most dangerous. Law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard report a sharp increase in accidents in the summer months, with July consistently leading the way. The main causes for these accidents are operator inexperience, inattention, and alcohol use.
Many families take their boats on the water only a few times a year, and during big holiday weekends, it is not uncommon for teenagers to take their parents’ boats out with little understanding of the responsibilities of operating a boat in crowded waters. Add in the fireworks, alcohol, and partying often associated with holidays, and the situation can turn hazardous quickly.
On the Fourth of July in 2024, several accidents made headlines for their catastrophic results:
All these incidents involved some combination of the leading factors contributing to boating fatalities: alcohol, poor situational awareness, and operator inexperience.
The statistics reflect just how dangerous the water can be. The most concerning U.S. Coast Guard statistics about boating accidents in 2023 revealed:
In 2024, tragedy struck in St. Petersburg, Florida when 15-year-old Collin Moorefield was killed in a boating crash. Collin’s 15-year-old friend, drunk and distracted by his phone, sped past waterfront homes before crashing his parents’ boat into a neighbor’s dock. Both teens were thrown overboard, but unfortunately, Collin did not make it back aboard. Collin’s parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the teen driver’s parents, claiming that the boy’s parents had knowingly allowed him to take the 18-foot boat out without adult supervision, despite his inexperience.
This chilling situation is not unique, especially during summer holidays.
When a boating accident occurs involving inexperienced drivers, the legal consequences can be serious and far-reaching.
One legal doctrine cited in the Moorefields’ wrongful death lawsuit is negligent entrustment.
Negligent entrustment occurs when the owner of a boat (or any other vehicle) allows someone to operate it despite knowing (or having good reason to know) that the person is reckless, unfit or inexperienced.
Like the case of Collin Moorefield, an injured party could potentially sue the friend who was operating the boat, and the parents who owned the boat, especially if they knew their child might allow their inexperienced friends to operate the boat.
In the Moorefields’ case, the friend’s parents were having a party at their house where the boys had access to alcohol before taking the boat out. In addition to inadequate adult supervision, the Moorefields’ claim alleges that the parents did not make sure the boys had no alcohol with them on the boat. Even if the parents were not on the boat at the time, ownership carries responsibility and liability because the boat was made accessible to someone who misused it.
This heartbreaking case is a reminder of just how quickly a day on the water can turn fatal when teens are given control of a boat without proper oversight.
Boating should be a fun experience, not a liability nightmare. Whether you’re a first-time boat owner or you have been on the water for years, here are four essential tips:
Never allow anyone, especially minors or untrained drivers, to operate your boat without proper supervision or training.
If you are not going out on the water yourself, make sure your boat won’t be taken out without your knowledge. Lock the ignition, dock securely, and set clear rules with family members and others who may have access.
Florida law requires boat operators who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, to obtain a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card to operate a motorboat with ten horsepower or more. In addition to Boating Safety Education, operators should familiarize themselves with their vessel.
Maritime law can be complex. Whether you're a boat owner or a passenger injured due to someone else’s negligence, an attorney who understands maritime and admiralty law, like those at Mase Seitz Briggs, can help protect your rights and navigate complex liability questions.
Boating accidents on holidays like the Fourth of July are common, but often preventable. Whether it’s an inexperienced teen behind the wheel, a few too many drinks, or a split-second lapse in attention, simple mistakes can change lives in an instant.
Don’t become a cautionary tale this summer. Know the risks and enjoy the holidays safely.
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