The Qualified Captain explains how to avoid collisions on crowded waterways
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With temperatures expected to soar, local waterways are expected to be busy as boaters head out to fish, cruise and cool off.
But with more traffic on the water comes a greater chance of accidents.
As part of his weekly boating safety partnership with WWAY, boating safety expert Chris Juall, better known online as “The Qualified Captain,” highlighted a video from Amsterdam showing how quickly an inexperienced boat operator can turn a peaceful day on the water into a dangerous situation.
The video shows a small boat approaching another vessel in a narrow canal. Instead of safely avoiding the other boat, the operator turns sharply, collides with the passing vessel and then crashes into the canal bank.
“Looking at this video again, what you’ll see is the operator of the other boat thinks he’s going to avoid this boat by turning right, but really what he’s doing is he’s kicking the stern of his boat,” Juall explained. “Then, to make matters worse, he goes right into the side of the bank. He has no idea what he’s doing.”
Juall said situations like this can happen anywhere, especially when inexperienced operators fail to understand basic boat handling or navigation rules.
If another vessel appears to be getting dangerously close, Juall recommends taking immediate action to make yourself seen and heard.
“You can make sound signals. Use your horn. Get their attention,” he said.
He also advises slowing down and, when possible, shifting into reverse to avoid a collision, particularly in narrow waterways where there is little room to maneuver.
Juall also stressed that passengers should never ignore signs that a boat operator may not be in control.
“If you are ever in the situation where you feel like the captain of your vessel is not in control and you feel unsafe, then you need to have that conversation with the captain to stop the boat immediately, lower anchor, do something just to stop the situation,” he said. “Then notify the authorities, or at least have them take you back to the dock.”
His final advice is simple: if you don’t feel safe, leave.
“Come up with an excuse and get off that boat,” Juall said. “Because the last thing you want to do is turn what would be a fun day into a tragedy.”
The boating safety segment is part of an ongoing partnership between WWAY and The Qualified Captain, which provides boating education, safety tips and real-world examples of common mistakes on the water. Learn more on The Qualified Captain’s website.
