Boating Articles
Our experts are active in writing standards, conducting original research, and developing new testing methodologies.
We post many of our articles online in your expert search.
- Practice Area
- Show All
- Admiralty / Maritime
- Adult Care
- Agricultural Safety
- Airplane Accident Investigations
- Alcohol & Drugs of Abuse
- Amusement Parks
- Animal / Equine Science
- Aquatic Facilities Construction
- Aquatics
- Aquatics Facilities Operations
- Architecture
- Arson Defense
- Automobile & Light Truck
- Aviation
- Bicycle
- Biomechanics
- Boating
- Building Systems
- Chemical Spill
- Child Care
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Forensics
- Construction
- Construction Contracting
- Construction Defects
- Construction Delay Claims
- Construction Safety
- Crash Reconstruction
- Crashworthiness
- Document Analysis
- Dram Shop
- Driver Actions
- Electric Utility
- Electrical Engineering
- Elevator & Escalator
- Environmental
- Facilities Engineering
- Failure Analysis & Materials Science
- Fire & Explosion
- Fitness Facility Operations
- Food Safety
- Geotechnical Engineering
- GPS & Mobile Device Data
- Health Care
- Heavy Truck & Bus
- Helicopter Accident Investigations
- Highway Engineering
- Human Factors & Ergonomics
- HVAC Engineering
- Hydrology
- Industrial Safety
- Marina & Shipyard
- Marine Accident
- Marine Mechanical
- Marine Operations
- Marine Waterfront
- Mechanical Testing Laboratory
- Medical Device & Pharmaceutical
- Medical Device & Research Laboratory
- Meteorology
- Motorcycle & ATV
- Oil & Natural Gas
- Parking Lot Safety
- Pedestrian Strikes
- Personal Watercraft
- Pharmaceutical
- Playground Safety
- Plumbing Engineering
- Police Practices & Security
- Police Procedures
- Premises Safety
- Premises Security
- Product Liability
- Professional Liability
- Railroad & Trains
- Slips, Trips and Falls
- Social Work
- Sports & Recreation
- Structural Engineering
- Supervision / Education
- Team & Individual Sports
- Tires
- Towed Water Sports
- Towing & Vehicle Recovery
- Toxicology
- Traffic Signals & Guidance
- Tree Forensics
- Trucking & Warehousing
- Vehicle Fires
- Vehicles & Roadway Systems
- Video and Imagery Analysis
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Webinar Series
- Winter Sports
- Woodworking Tools Safety
- Workplace Safety
- Author
- Show All
- Abigail Rich
- Albert J. Kerelis, Jr.
- Anthony Fenton
- Anthony Volonnino
- Augustine F. Ubaldi
- Bartley J. Eckhardt
- Benjamin Wixon
- Brendan P. Merk
- Brent R. Leisenring
- Bret W. Johnson
- Brian O'Donel
- Brooks Rugemer
- C. William Brewer
- Carl F. Wolf
- Carolyne I. Albert
- Catherine Peterman
- Chad Phillips
- Christian H. Mongrain
- Christopher C. Fogarty
- Dale J. Cagwin
- Daryl J. Smith
- Daryl L. Ebersole
- David A. Breitigam
- Dawn DiMarco
- Dennis W. Olson
- Diane Trainor
- Douglas J. Rowland
- Douglas W. Peden
- Edward A. Gray
- Erin M. Shipp
- Gordon Meth
- Gregory H. Pestine
- Harold Ehrlich
- Hendrik J. Keijer
- Ian Adamson
- J. David Gardner
- J. Tim Potter
- James Derby
- James M. Orosz
- Jamie R. Williams
- Janice S. P. Inman
- Jason Randle
- Jeffrey A. Tedder
- Jeffrey M. Kobilka
- John G. Green II
- John Hassard
- John Tinghitella
- Justin M. Ramsdell
- Kathleen Lord-Jones
- Kenneth J. Kutchek
- Kenyon Conklin
- Kevin V. Gorman
- Kyle McAvoy
- Lance Miller
- Lawrence C. Dinoff
- Leo Kalikstein
- Les Winter
- Lisa A. Thorsen
- Marcus A. Mazza
- Maria Bella
- Marion R. McGrath
- Marjorie Murtagh Cooke
- Mark Duckett
- Mark E. Williams
- Mark Meredith
- Mark Monteith
- Mark Respass
- Mark Songer
- Michael D. Klein
- Michael Gerard
- Michael J. Tuttman
- Michael J. Whitekus
- Michael O'Dell
- Michael Pearl
- Michael Vallone
- Peter J. Leiss
- Raymond L. Lee
- Rene Basulto
- Richard Sherman
- Richard Tippett
- Robert J. O'Connor
- Roland Hoover
- Ronald A. Fermano Jr.
- Ronald D. Schaible
- Ronald J. Natoli
- Ruhi Arslanoglu
- Scott Klimek
- Staci B. Weiner
- Stanley Jaworski
- Stephen E. Fournier
- Steve Noonan
- Steven Becker
- Suzanne Rodriguez
- Sylvia B. Deye
- Theresa Kreider
- Thomas J. Lodge
- Thomas Lyden
- Thomas Pienciak
- Tiffanie L. Bova
- Timothy M. Bussard
- Timothy M. Wilhelm
- Valentina Ngai
- Vanessa A. Fitsanakis
- William E. J. Martin
-
Interpreting Marine GPS Data - Expert Article
GPS units and chartplotters potentially contain a myriad of useful information for the reconstruction of marine mishaps. Our experts can export, interpret, and analyze this data within the context of specific events to reliably answer questions involving speed, location, and many other relevant issues.
This article provides an introduction to marine GPS navigation data as it relates to litigation and insurance claims. Concepts explored include how experts use data to determine vessel locations and operator actions/inactions of interest such as slow speed zone transits, waterfront bar/restaurant visits, and evasive maneuvers.
-
The Standard of Care for Captains, Masters, or Skippers - Expert Webinar [VIDEO]
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.
-
Boat Party Injury - Expert Investigation
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.
-
Distribution of Vessel Occupants and Loads – Expert Article on Marine Safety
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.
-
See & Be Seen: Tips for Small Boats on Crowded Waters
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 Safety - Expert Article
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.
-
Marine Carbon Monoxide & Fire Detection Systems - Expert Article
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.
-
Risk Management Aboard Vessels: Boating Safety - Expert Article
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.
-
Premises Liability Concerns in Marinas and Boatyards – Expert Article Published by Marina Dock Age
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.
-
Preserving Marine GPS Data - Expert Article
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.
-
Swimming Hazards in Marinas – Expert Article Published by Marina Dock Age
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. -
Visibility Factors in Small Boat Collisions - Expert Research
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.