Dangers of bow riding
by Maritime Safety Victoria 19 Jan 2019 03:44 PST
Dangers of bow riding © Maritime Safety Victoria
Allowing people to sit on the bow of your boat could put them in grave danger. Across Australia in recent years, there have been a number of serious incidents and fatalities occurring after people slip from the bow of a vessel.
Passengers bow riding with their legs hanging over the side or bow of a boat under way are much more likely to fall into the water.
Most boats are not set up for persons sitting forward of the cockpit.
Whilst bowrider boats are designed with seats in the bow, masters of these vessels should also be aware of the risks to passengers.
At speed any movement of the boat is more violent towards the front - so passengers, even while seated, can suffer injuries inside the vessel during accelerations, decelerations and turns. They may be ejected from the boat altogether.
Consider this when changing speed or manoeuvring, and ensure your passengers are secure and that young children are appropriately supervised.
As the master of a vessel, you have a responsibility for all onboard.
Read about safety duties