HUB International New England Reminds Massachusetts Boaters that Safety is Paramount T...( - Following Some Simple Tips From a...),Health

- Following Some Simple Tips From a Leading Area Insurance Brokerage Can

Help Prevent Fatalities, Injuries and Damage -

WILMINGTON, Mass., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Each weekend, upwards of 130,000 Bay Staters take their boats out on the water. While most consider boating a source of joy and entertainment, boating can be dangerous and even deadly if it is not done with care and precautions are not taken. Last year alone, nationally there were more than 700 boating-related fatalities, more than 3,400 boaters were injured and there was more than $44 million in property damage to recreational boats, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

With that in mind, HUB International New England, the state's largest insurance agency and one of the biggest operations with HUB International Limited, urges boaters to make safety a priority this season.

"Each year, hundreds of Massachusetts boaters are injured on our state's lakes, ponds, rivers and oceans," said John Tarantino, Director of Risk Management Services for HUB International New England. "Whether you operate a boat or are a passenger, it is important that you use common sense and follow safe boating rules."

With Massachusetts' 1,500 miles of ocean coastline, it's no wonder that residents here are some of the country's most avid recreational boaters. In fact, statistics show that people in Massachusetts spend more than $1.7 billion annually on recreational boating, which equates to 15 percent of the entire country's spending in this pastime.

The following simple safety practices can help boaters reduce the risk of danger, to themselves, to others and to their boats:

1. Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol.

2. Always wear life vests, especially in rough water. Last year, 90 percent of the recreational boaters who died while boating were not wearing life jackets, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. If you don't wear your life vests, make sure the
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