Sailboat Negligence on Biscayne Bay: The Moment Things Go Wrong

Biscayne Bay is one of the best places in the world to sail. On any given day, South Floridians and visitors can charter a sailboat and enjoy calm water, good weather, and a professional crew. Many charters are run the right way. But sailing has a few moments where “relaxing” can turn “dangerous” fast—especially when the boat changes direction through the wind. That maneuver (tacking or jibing) is when a lot happens at once.  And it’s also when a careless or distracted captain can set the stage for a serious injury.

On larger boats, the risk is obvious the second you’ve seen it: the large“boom” and the bottom of the main sail. When the sail shifts from one side to the other, that boom can swing across the boat with real force and speed. A passenger who’s standing in the wrong place, not seated in the cockpit, or not warned properly can take a direct blow—often to the head. At the same time, the sheets (the lines controlling the sails) are moving under heavy tension. Those lines can wrap around legs or arms.  And on boats with powered or mechanically-assisted winches, that tension can cause devastating injuries in an instant if the sheet wraps around a limb, for example. Even in smooth water and good conditions, a tack or jibe is the moment everyone should be paying attention: the captain, the crew, and the passengers — especially when families or groups are aboard.

Pita Weber Del Prado has experience with sailboat negligence where what should have been a great day on the water became a disaster because basic safety practices were ignored. If you or a loved one was injured in a sailboat accident—or any kind of boating accident—in Florida waters, call Pita Weber Del Prado. We work with experienced maritime experts to figure out exactly what happened and hold the responsible parties accountable.