British Columbia has a stunning coastline. From the rugged shores of Vancouver to the calm water of the protected Gulf Islands, the coast is home to a variety of wildlife and dotted with charming towns and cities. Naturally, sightseeing tours and whale watching excursions are a popular attraction in the province. Unfortunately, these adventures aren’t without risks. Though sightseeing and whale watching accidents are rare, they can happen for all kinds of reasons and have lifelong consequences. Within the last decade, there have been a few major incidents in BC, including the Leviathan II capsizing in 2015. If you were a victim in a sightseeing or whale watching boat accident as a tourist, it’s important to seek out legal counsel to help you recover damages from physical or psychological injuries you suffered.
Common Causes of Tour Boat Accidents
When you step aboard a tour boat, you expect to return to dry land safely. While this is often the case, there are a few common causes of tour boat accidents.
Weather Conditions
Crews pay close attention to weather conditions before setting off. Sometimes tours are delayed or even canceled due to inclement weather. However, it’s very possible that sudden storms, unexpectedly high winds, heavy fog, or rough seas could limit visibility or even lead to collisions or capsizing.
Mechanical Failures
Anything from an engine malfunction to a steering failure or other mechanical issue could lead to a catastrophic accident. These failures can either happen suddenly or as a result of a lack of regular maintenance.
Human Error
Crew members should be highly experienced and trained. If they’re not, they could very well make critical mistakes that put everyone’s life in jeopardy. Miscommunication between crew members and navigational errors are also common issues. These errors can lead to collisions with other boats, rocks, or marine life. In 2017, a BC whale tour vessel even struck a surfacing whale, causing injuries to passengers.
Physical and Psychological Injuries From Tour Boat Accidents
Boat tour accidents can leave victims with severe physical or psychological injuries. Even if your injuries are mild, you will likely need time to recover. That could result in medical bills, long-term treatment, or lost wages.
Fractures and Sprains
These injuries often come as a result of slipping and falling on deck or being thrown off the boat into rough seas.
Cuts and Bruises
Coming into contact with sharp objects or debris during an accident can cause minor or major cuts and bruises.
Drowning and Hypothermia
If a boat capsizes or a passenger falls overboard, it may take a significant amount of time for rescue boats to arrive. Victims could potentially drown without a proper life vest or could suffer hypothermia in cold waters.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Experiencing any kind of traumatic accident can lead to PTSD, which has long-term implications, such as developing a fear of water or survivor’s guilt.
What to Do Following a Tour Boat Accident
Following a boat accident, seeking medical attention should be your first priority. Once you have been seen and treated by a doctor, you or your loved ones need to document the incident. This involves getting photos of the scene, documenting your injuries, collecting statements from other passengers, and sharing a witness statement with authorities. Then, contact a tour boat accident lawyer. Stephens & Holman can help you gather evidence and let you know what legal options are available. Our team can help you pursue damages to offset medical costs or lost wages.