Authorities say the proper use of life jackets and an engine cutoff lanyard prevented the potential drowning of three boaters after their speeding boat flipped over on Lake Havasu on June 20.
Deputies from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office responded to an accident that ejected all occupants from a boat around 10 a.m. June 20 on Lake Havasu. The 36-foot Skater vessel was traveling at an estimated 80 to 100 mph and when the operator made a hard left turn, all three people aboard were ejected. The operator was transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center for a severe head laceration and the two passengers refused medical treatment for minor injuries, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
“This incident could have been deadly, if all of the occupants were not wearing life jackets and the operator was not wearing the safety engine cutoff lanyard,” said Tim Baumgarten, Arizona Game and Fish Department boating law administrator. “All boaters and watercraft users should remember to operate their vessels safely and responsibly, including traveling at safe speeds. That operator is ultimately responsible for the safety of everyone aboard.”
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that in 2016 there were 4,463 recreational boating accidents, involving 701 deaths nationwide. In cases where the cause of death was known, 80 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned and of those, 83 percent were not wearing a life jacket.
In Arizona, there were five deaths from boating accidents last year.
On average in Arizona, life jackets should be replaced every five years. State law requires that anyone 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times when the vessel is underway and there should be one life jacket aboard for every passenger.