Illinois Boat Accident Lawyers

Good weekend to float, not so great to boat

Thursday June 30, 2011 - Bourbon - Tom Frasca, left, of Festus gets set to take a five-mile float trip down the Meramec River from the Campbell Bridge Access point Thursday in Bourbon, Missouri. The float party booked the trip with Blue Springs Ranch & Resort. The Missouri Highway Patrol's water patrol unit is urging safety for all water activity over the holiday weekend. Christian Gooden cgooden@post-dispatch.com

July 4

Festivals & fireworks

FAIR ST. LOUIS

"America's biggest birthday party" under the Gateway Arch.

Today

10 a.m. • Veiled Prophet Parade

Noon • Festival opens, air show

2 p.m. • Local band Doorway (Fairview Heights)

3 p.m. • Local band Option//Control (Fenton)

4 p.m. • Local bands Monday, Last Night's Vice (St. Louis)

4:30 p.m. • Air show

7 p.m. • Steve Miller Band

9:15 p.m. • Fireworks

10 p.m. • Festival closes

OTHER EVENTS

East St. Louis, Granite City, O'Fallon, Mo., St. Charles and Webster Groves are among other communities with celebrations starting today.

This Fourth of July weekend should be great for floating and canoeing, not so good for boating.

Rivers popular with those who drift in tubes or paddle canoes have recovered well from spring flooding. But the bigger waterways are still too swollen for perfect boating on one of the most popular weekends of the summer.

Launch ramps along the faster-than-normal Mississippi and Illinois rivers are expected to be closed because of high water, and floating debris is bad news for water-skiers and wake-boarders, said Jeremy Fowler, harbor master of the Alton Marina.

This weekend is the busiest of the summer for the marina, when boaters come to watch the Alton fireworks from the water.

"It's not disastrous by any means," said Fowler of the water condition. "But it's not ideal."

Things were far from ideal at the Harbor Point Yacht Club in West Alton, where roads leading to the marina were 2 feet underwater, making it impossible to drive there, said Gary Kuncar, the harbor master. Those wishing to reach their boats must hitch a ride from other boats.

The club caters to 45-foot and bigger vessels, and Kuncar expects a quiet weekend, much to the dismay of boat owners.

"Right now there's a lot of upset people because they can't get in here to use the boats that they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on," Kuncar said.

BOAT ACCIDENT – INJURED IN BOATING ACCIDENT/MISSOURI – ILLINOIS ...

Boat operators are responsible for the safety of  all passengers.  On board, the craft should be equipped with all of the necessary water safety equipment.  A life jacket should be provided  to all passengers.  A floatation device can save lives and aid in preventing drowning incidents.  Drivers  should avoid using any illegal drugs or alcohol.  Excessive speed and an intoxicated boat operator spells disaster. An inexperienced operator that has never taken courses on boating safety are putting their occupants at risk.  Negative acts can be responsible for boats capsizing.  Crossing in front of another vessel or following too closely may end in a fatal collision.  Inattention to water, going high speeds, can account for striking floating objects such as a piece of driftwood that may result in serious consequences.  All equipment should be checked before embarking on the water.  The boat motor should regularly receive inspection and necessary maintenance.  If  YOU or a LOVED ONE has been seriously hurt in a boating accident due to the negligence of someone else, YOU are encouraged to contact our law firm.  KULLMANN, KLEIN AND DIONEDA has OVER TWENTY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE handling personal injury cases just like YOURS!  Using our knowledge of the law and experience in boating accidents, our law firm will AGGRESSIVELY pursue YOUR CASE ensuring that you received the compensation that YOU deserve!