Boating Articles

The titles of Captain, Master, or Skipper are used to demarcate the person in charge aboard commercial or recreational vessels. These titles carry a responsibility to ensure for the safety of those aboard his or her vessel and the safety of other vessels operating in the region by acting in accordance with a set of minimum standards of care.

In this webinar video, Captain Kyle McAvoy (USCG Retired) will explore the standard of care for Captains, Masters, and Skippers within the context of boating mishaps and commercial claims. Attendees will gain insights to the governing standards as they apply to professional mariners and recreational boat operators and develop a framework for evaluating their actions during times of duress.

In this article, Naval Architect and Marine Safety Expert Kyle McAvoy (Captain, USCG – Retired) shares details from a forensic investigation involving an individual who broke his neck after diving off a boat in shallow water. Through this incident, McAvoy explains the safety standards relevant to boats moored or at anchor.

Failure to properly distribute the weight load on boats, including where your occupants are located, can have catastrophic consequences. Overloading, or improperly loading, a boat may lead to dangerous conditions and personal injury. In the case of a recreational boat, improper loading may be failing to adequately distribute occupants to ensure that their weight is well balanced.

In this article, Marine Operations expert Hendrik Keijer addresses the standard of care for vessel operators and owners as it relates to load/passenger distribution.

Collisions between non-powered recreational watercraft (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, etc.) and faster, wind or motor powered vessels can be catastrophic for passengers in the slower vessel.

Any boater experienced with congested waterways is likely aware of the threat of a collision, but prior to 2012 almost no scientific research on the topic had been published.

Recreational boaters and professional mariners alike often share anecdotal advice on boating safety, but that guidance can be of mixed value, and lacks scientific merit.

In 2012, Robson Forensic published research that quantified factors in small boat collisions such as visibility thresholds and boater actions that influence visibility.

This article provides an overview of that study, discussing the relationship between speed and visibility in small craft collisions, known danger zones, and provides tips for all vessel operators to reduce the likelihood and severity of marine mishaps. The complete study can be accessed here.

Parasailing as a recreational activity began in as an outgrowth of an activity called “parascending;” a land-based activity used to teach people how to parachute without having to use an aircraft. In 1974, an inventor in Florida began testing the idea using a “winch boat,” and thus modern parasailing was born. According to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) estimates, in 2013 there were approximately 325 vessels conducting parasailing operations in the United States and territories, ranging from single vessel owners, to operators overseeing a dozen or more parasailing vessels working from multiple beach locations.

While parasailing, passengers are suspended 300-500 feet in the air. When parasailing mishaps occur, the injuries are often severe, if not fatal. In this article, Kyle McAvoy (Captain, USCG Retired) explains the technical components involved in parasailing operations, common failures and accidents, and the development of safety guidelines in the parasailing industry.

All vessels, from small recreational boats to large ocean going ships, have safety systems onboard designed to reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood and consequential severity of exposure to hazardous conditions. In this article, Marine Operations expert Captain Hendrik Keijer addresses the importance of carbon monoxide and fire detection/suppression systems to manage the level of risk aboard vessels.

In this piece, the focus is on Boating Safety Education and the importance of a pre-departure Safety Briefing. Good seamanship requires Captains, vessel operators and owners to have mitigation and contingency plans in place before and during a vessel’s voyage, and to be aware of and prepared for risks involved in maritime transit. Whether the vessel is a cruise ship, cargo vessel, ferry, yacht, charter or recreational boat, a prudent vessel operator should manage the level of risk.

This is the first in a series of articles, written by Marine Operations expert Captain Hendrik J. Keijer to address a variety of available methods and means which the level of risk aboard vessels can be managed.

In this article, originally published in Marina Dock Age, Marina and Boatyard Expert, Carl Wolf discusses some of the many safety concerns facing marina and boatyard operators. He also provides guidance on industry inspection and maintenance practices to address many of these hazards.

The experts at Robson Forensic have investigated thousands of premises liability claims since 1987. Investigation of these incidents can involve experts specializing in walkway and pedestrian safety, marine accident reconstruction, recreational boating and rules of the road, or experts like Carl who specialize in marina and boatyard operations.

In this article, the digital forensics experts at Robson Forensic discuss the use of GPS data within marine disputes. The discussion includes the proper collection, preservation, and analysis of data.

In this article, originally published by Marina Dock Age, Marina & Boatyard Expert, Carl Wolf discusses many of the hazards that threaten swimmers in marinas.


The experts at Robson Forensic have investigated many devastating injuries that occurred in the space where swimmers interface with boats and docks. Investigation of these incidents can involve experts specializing in marine accident reconstruction, recreational boating and rules of the road, or experts like Carl who specialize in marina and boatyard operations.

This study examined powered craft operators’ ability to identify a kayak under differing visibility conditions. The kayaker was either wearing a dark PFD or a fluorescent shirt over the PFD, and positioned against a water or land background. Results indicate that the background the kayak is seen against affects identification distance regardless of garment worn. Also, the paddle flash was consistently noticed first, regardless of background or shirt condition, although the fluorescent shirt helped participants identify the object as a kayak. Identification distance and its effect on boater safety and education are discussed in the context of avoiding collisions with very small craft.