The Qualified Captain: Runaway Boat on Maryland River Highlights Holiday Boating Safety
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With the Fourth of July holiday expected to bring heavy boat traffic to local waterways, boating safety experts are reminding everyone to take extra precautions before heading out on the water.
As part of his weekly boating safety partnership with WWAY, boating safety expert Chris Juall, better known online as “The Qualified Captain,” highlighted a dramatic video from the Severn River near Annapolis, Maryland, showing an unmanned boat spinning wildly out of control after its operator was thrown overboard.
The runaway vessel continued making tight circles in a crowded area filled with docks, boats and other recreational traffic, creating a dangerous situation for everyone nearby.
“What you’re seeing is another example of someone who’s been thrown overboard,” Juall said. “This is such a dangerous situation.”
The video shows a U.S. Coast Guard crew racing alongside the runaway boat before one crew member jumps aboard the moving vessel and safely brings it under control.
“Is the guy actually going to jump on it? Because this is super dangerous,” Juall said while narrating the rescue. “Yes, he gets on the boat, and he saves the day.”
Juall said incidents like this become more common during busy holiday weekends when thousands of people take to the water, making it even more important for boaters to follow basic safety practices.
His first recommendation is to always wear a properly fitted personal flotation device while underway.
“There is no excuse not to, with the comfort of today’s PFDs,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of wearing an engine cutoff device, commonly known as a kill switch, to prevent boats from continuing unattended if the operator falls overboard.
“The very thing we were just talking about,” Juall said.
Other safety reminders include staying focused while operating a vessel, avoiding alcohol if you’re the captain, maintaining a safe speed and never allowing passengers to ride on the bow while the boat is underway.
“I know it sounds ridiculous, but literally not paying attention is the number one reason why accidents occur,” Juall said.
His message heading into the holiday weekend is straightforward: simple safety precautions can prevent life-threatening accidents before they happen.
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 and check out the online boating courses.
