As the weather and boating season both heat up, it's good to remember that accidents involving boat propellers are a leading cause of boating injuries. According to a recent statement from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, contributing factors include inexperience, incompetence or negligence, and drinking as well as the dangerous practices of bow and transom riding. While these factors generally involve powerboats more than sailboats, sailors too should remember the importance of keeping passengers on board and being prepared with a rescue device such as a LifeSling and by knowing how to safely perform a man-overboard drill in way that does not bring a spinning prop anywhere near someone in the water.
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