As temperatures rise across Long Island, thousands of boaters head to the Great South Bay, Long Island Sound, Fire Island, Montauk, and countless waterways across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

While boating is one of the region's most popular summer activities, crowded waterways, inexperienced operators, and changing conditions can quickly turn a day on the water into a serious accident.

Before you leave the dock this season, it's important to understand both your safety responsibilities and your legal rights.

It’s no secret that Long Island’s waterways are some of the most active in New York State. So, during the warmer months, you’ll see everyone from boaters and sailors to jet skiers, kayakers, paddle boarders, and even parasailers sharing the same, heavily trafficked areas throughout the South Shore, North Shore, and East End.

Some of the most popular boating destinations include places like the Great South Bay, Long Island Sound, Fire Island Inlet, Shinnecock Bay, Peconic Bay, and Montauk.

But the more vessels there are on the water, the greater the risk of accidents. And couple crowded channels with unpredictable weather, inexperienced operators, or potentially impaired boaters, and your trip could turn into an emergency. 

Per the United States Coast Guard’s 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics Report, New York recorded 110 boating incidents in 2024. As a result, there were 8 fatalities, 57 injuries, and 60 cases of property damage. In total, the damages exceeded $2.9 million.

These reported “incidents” can include a variety of events, such as collisions with other vessels, fixed objects, or floating objects, as well as capsizing, grounding, people being ejected from vessels or struck by propellers, accidents caused by natural phenomena, and more.

And on Long Island specifically, one waterway had significantly more accidents in 2024 than any other in Suffolk or Nassau County: the Great South Bay. Per the 2024 Recreational Boating Report released by New York State’Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the Great South Bay saw 10 boating accidents that year, followed by 3 accidents in both Northport Bay and Shinnecock Bay, and 2 accidents in Cold Sping Harbor, Gardiner’s Bay, and Sag Harbor Bay.

While every boating accident may be unique, many causes are preventable. Some of the most common are as follows.

Operator Inexperience or Distraction

Operating a boat safely requires constant attention, as well as knowledge of local waterways, navigation rules, and potentially changing weather conditions. Unfortunately, some accidents occur because operators are inexperienced, distracted by things like digital devices or passengers, or just fail to maintain proper lookout.

Boating Under The Influence

Under New York State law, it’s a crime to operate a boat while impaired by drugs or alcohol. And in 2024, alcohol use was sadly identified as a contributing factor in 6 injuries and 3 fatalities. Just like driving under the influence, operating a boat while impaired impacts judgment, coordination, balance, reaction time, and decision-making abilities. Those convicted of this crime may face substantial fines, jail time, and the suspension of their boating privileges.

Speeding

In harbors, channels, and within 100 feet of shorelines or moored boats, there’s typically a 5 MPH speed limit enforced to prevent boaters from creating dangerous wakes. From there, it’s up to boat operators to abide by posted local speed limits and travel at a safe pace. Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases stopping distance, particularly in crowded waterways. A boat operator traveling too fast may have little opportunity to avoid another vessel, swimmer, sandbar, or navigational hazard.

Hazardous Conditions

Weather and water conditions can change rapidly on Long Island. Things like choppy waters, strong winds, limited visibility, and unexpected rain storms can all create dangerous situations. So, it’s crucial that new and experienced boaters alike monitor weather forecasts frequently.

Equipment Failure

Finally, mechanical issues can contribute to accidents on the water. Steering malfunctions, electrical problems, engine failures, and inadequate maintenance all risk operators losing the ability to control their boats safely. That’s why maintaining your boat and inspecting it before each trip is extremely important. 

Since boats aren’t enclosed, they offer much less protection than automobiles, meaning boat accidents can result in significant injuries, depending on the nature of the incident.

Following a boat collision, a victim may suffer whiplash, a concussion or other traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, lacerations, and more. Victims may also be thrown overboard, leading to propeller or near-drowning injuries.

In serious cases, emergency treatment, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation are necessary. And beyond the physical impacts, victims may suffer emotional trauma that leaves a lasting negative impact on their day-to-day life. 

Figuring out who’s responsible for a crash isn’t always straightforward. That’s why partnering with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help determine liability is key.

In many situations, boat operators may be held responsible if they were acting negligently. They have a duty to operate their vessel safely, so if they were speeding, under the influence, or violating boating rules, they might be liable for your injuries.

However, operators aren’t the only parties that can come under scrutiny. Boat owners and rental companies themselves could also be held liable if they failed to properly maintain a boat/launched a vessel that was unsafe or did not provide necessary safety gear.

Additionally, watercraft manufacturers might share responsibility as well if defective equipment or poor design function contributed to an accident. 

Your top priority should always be seeking safety and medical attention immediately, no matter how minor your injuries seem at first. Make sure you get evaluated and retain your medical records. They could prove useful should you choose to file a personal injury claim later.

Moreover, preserve as much documentation from the scene as possible. If you’re able to take photos or videos of the vessel, surrounding conditions, your visible injuries, and any other damages, do so.

If there were any other boat owners involved, like in the instance of a collision, gather their contact information. And while witnesses aren’t always nearby during accidents on the water, if anyone happens to see your accident, ask for their contact information, too. 

Additionally, if you were on a rented boat, save your rental agreement and any other documents or communications with the rental company. Finally, avoid speaking with insurance companies before you consult an attorney because any statements you make may be used against you to stifle your own claim. 

Boating accident claims can get complicated quickly, especially when multiple vessels, operators, rental companies, or insurance policies are involved. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate the process alone.

At Langella & Langella, we know how overwhelming the aftermath of a boating accident on Long Island can be. While you focus on recovering, our team will handle the investigation, gather evidence, and identify all potentially liable parties.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident on Long Island, allow us to fight for you. Contact us at (631) 348-9500 for a Free Consultation.