One man was killed and two others were injured in a commercial boating accident in Stevenson, located in Jackson County, Alabama. The deadly Alabama boating accident occurred when a commercial towing vessel operated by Inland Marine Service struck a fishing boat, killing the man aboard the smaller watercraft. 52-year-old James Ray Blair was killed when the commercial watercraft crashed into his boat.
Two other unidentified people were on Blair’s boat at the time of the accident. They were injured and taken to an area hospital for treatment. The specifics regarding the injuries sustained by these two individuals have not been released. With that noted, their condition is reported not be life-threatening. The men may have already been discharged from the hospital.
The fatal boating accident occurred on the Tennessee River at Stevenson, near the Highway 117 bridge. The Steven Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff Department responded to the deadly collision.
Case of the Deadly Alabama Boating Accident Not Known
As of this time, no information is available as to why and how the commercial towing vessel collided with the fishing boat. The matter is under investigation.
Common causes of boating accidents in the United States include:
- Alcohol use
- Other drug use
- Inattentive operator
- Failure to vent
- Hazardous waters
- Excessive speed
- Adverse weather conditions
- Inexperienced boat operator
- Inattentive boar operator
- Improper lookout
- Sharp turns
- Restricted vision
- Overloaded boat
- Inadequate navigation lights
- No navigation lights
- Failure to wear lifejackets
- Violation of navigation rules
Again, no evidence is yet available regarding the underlying reason or reasons why the commercial boat crashed into the fishing watercraft. Points of investigation are likely focusing on the possibility that the commercial boat operator was under the influence or distracted at the time of the accident. Officials have not indicated that this is the case in regard to the Alabama boating accident. However, these possibilities will be investigated, to rule them in or rule them out.
Other points of this investigation are apt to focus on speed of the commercial craft, lighting on the boats (the accident occurred at about 9:00 p.m.), and whether other navigational or boating rules had been violated.
13 Points to Keep Safe When Boating
The occurrence of yet another 2021 boating accident brings us back to a refresher on what can be done to enhance boating safety. There are 13 points to keep safe in mind in regard to boating accidents:
- Always wear a life jacket
- Know how to swim
- Take a boating course
- Know water navigation rules and protocols
- Ensure appropriate watercraft maintenance
- Obtain a water vessel safety checklist
- Create a predeparture safety checklist
- Make a float plan
- Do not overload a watercraft
- Watch the weather
- Do not consume alcohol or drugs
- Protect passengers and others from propeller
- Keep emergency radios turned on all of the time
Every time you take to the water in your boat, you should review these 13 points and make sure everything is in order. Being prepared and proactive leads to safer boating.
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, if you’ve lost a family member in a fatal boating accident, the caring, experienced legal team at The Doan Law Firm is here for you. You can connect with our firm any time of the day or night by calling us at (800) 349-0000. We can schedule an initial consultation with a boating accident lawyer at any one of our 40 offices located from coast to coast across the country. We can also schedule an appointment with you at your home or any other location that is convenient for you. A virtual consultation with a seasoned, compassionate, tenacious boating accident lawyer online as well. There is no charge for an initial consultation and case evaluation with a Doan Law firm boating accident lawyer.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee promise to you. Our firm will never charge an attorney fee in a boating accident case or in any other kind of claim unless we win your case for you. Our boating accident lawyer team will fight tirelessly on your behalf to obtain a favorable settlement of judgment in your case.
