Danger of Propeller Strike
Another news story recently reported that doctors were unable to save the leg of a 14-year-old girl struck by a boat propeller. The young girls leg was amputated below the knee. The High School student was airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center after the accident, and has remained in critical condition since.
The teenager and friends were in the water when a boat approached carrying other friends. As she was trying to climb onboard, the driver revved the engine in an apparent attempt to keep the boat from getting beached, according to an eyewitness. The boat hit three of the girls, knocking them down, and the propeller struck the girls leg.
Did you know?
A variety of safety devices are available to help prevent propeller strikes:
The teenager and friends were in the water when a boat approached carrying other friends. As she was trying to climb onboard, the driver revved the engine in an apparent attempt to keep the boat from getting beached, according to an eyewitness. The boat hit three of the girls, knocking them down, and the propeller struck the girls leg.
Did you know?
- A typical three-blade propeller running at 3,200 rpm can inflict 160 impacts in one second.
- A typical recreational propeller can travel from head to toe on an average person in less than one tenth of a second.
- Most propeller accidents CAN be prevented!
- Wear your engine cut-off switch lanyard and your life jacket at ALL times. If the lanyard is removed from the switch, the engine will shut off.
- Assign a passenger to keep watch around the propeller area of your boat when people are in the water.
- Consider purchasing propeller safety devices for your boat.
- Before starting your engine, walk to the stern and look in the water to make certain there is no one near your propeller (people near the propeller may not be visible from the helm).
- Never allow passengers to board or exit your boat from the water when engine(s) are running – even at idle and in neutral your propeller may continue to spin.
- Educate passengers about the location and danger of the propeller(s).
- Call attention to and discuss any propeller waning labels around your boat.
- Be especially alert when operating in congested areas and never enter swimming zones.
- Take extra precautions near boats that are towing skiers or tubers.
- Never permit passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, seat backs, or other locations where they might fall overboard.
- Children should be watched carefully while onboard.
- Establish clear rules for swim platform use, boarding ladders, and seating (if possible, passengers should remain seated at all times).
- If someone falls overboard, STOP! Then slowly turn the boat around, and keep the person in sight as you approach. Assign a passenger to continuously monitor the person in ;the water. Turn your engine off FIRST and then bring the person to safety.
- NEVER reverse your boat to pick someone up out of the water. If necessary, go around again.
A variety of safety devices are available to help prevent propeller strikes:
- Wireless cut off switches
- Propeller guards
- Ringed propellers
- Propulsion alternatives (jet drive)
- Interlocks
- Sensors
- Anti-feedback steering