New Study: Offshore Injuries Common on Small Vessels

According to new study, which was recently published in the journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, offshore injuries are not uncommon on dinghies and keel boats.
 
The study was conducted by Rhode Island Hospital researchers.  The researchers conducted an on-line survey of 1,860 sailors.  
 
The 1,860 sailors reported a total of 1,715 injuries.  Seventy-nine percent of the respondents said that they had experienced at least one injury in the twelve months prior to the survey.  The most common injuries were bruises, cuts and sprains.
 
Most common serious injuries:
 
• Fractures 
• Torn tendons or cartilage
• concussions
• dislocations 
 
Most commonly sailors were injured by:
 
• Trips and falls
• Being hit by a boom
• Getting caught in lines
 
Tacking and jibing maneuvers were responsible for about one-third of the reported injuries.  Sailors were most likely to be injured while:
 
• Crossing from one side of the boat to the other during a tack
• Changing the sails
• Operating a winch
• Steering
 
Heavy weather was a contributing factor in 36 percent of the severe injuries.   Seven percent of the accidents were preceded by drinking alcohol.
 
Most injuries were minor.  Only 4 percent of the reported injuries required the injured sailor to  be evacuated from the vessel and/or hospitalized.  In most cases, the sailors received first aid onboard (26%) or sought medical care at a later time (33%).
 
Only 30 percent of the sailors surveyed said they regularly wear a life jacket.
 
Those who are injured offshore have rights under maritime law.  To learn more or to schedule a case evaluation, contact the New Orleans maritime attorneys at The Young Firm, 888-938-6113.