Navigational Hazards

Boat Collision Liability

Boat Collision Liability

Finding fault can be tricky at sea. The bottom line is to be conservative; take evasive action, even if you think you're in the right. Here's why.
Close Call Boats Collide

Close Call Boats Collide

The skipper of a 35-foot sailboat is lucky to be alive after a 37-foot charter fishing boat struck his boat at speed.
Towboatus And The Case Of The Wayward Weather Buoy

Towboatus And The Case Of The Wayward Weather Buoy

After a seven-hour hunt, Captains Trey Tuggle and Jeremy Larson of TowBoatUS St. Augustine retrieve an errant weather buoy with a sea turtle attached.
Navigational Hazards Or A Hazard To Navigation

Navigational Hazards Or A Hazard To Navigation

An experienced marine-accident investigator who has seen it all explains how it's easier to probe a case involving a hazard to navigation than one where the skipper is the primary navigational hazard.
Avoiding The Video Game Syndrome

Avoiding The Video Game Syndrome

Relinquishing ongoing decision-making to a bunch of microprocessors can lead to an embarrassing grounding — or worse.
What Happens When You Run Aground And How To Avoid It

What Happens When You Run Aground And How To Avoid It

A longtime marine accident investigator shares tales of damage from his casebook — and tips on how to avoid being that guy stuck on the sandbar.
Striking A Submerged Object Claims Analysis

Striking A Submerged Object Claims Analysis

Our BoatUS Marine Insurance analysis of claims from boaters who've hit submerged objects offers good lessons for all of us.
What To Do If Your Vessel Strikes A Submerged Object

What To Do If Your Vessel Strikes A Submerged Object

Striking submerged object claims are the second most frequent type that BoatUS Marine Insurance sees. If you can't avoid it, know what do if you hit something in the water.
Oh Oh What To Do If Your Sailboat Goes Aground

Oh Oh What To Do If Your Sailboat Goes Aground

The grim instant a boat's keel bumps bottom could signal the beginning of a catastrophe with the typical grounding is somewhere in between.