Admiralty Lawsuit Lawyer

Airboats

Airboats are basically flat-bottomed vessels that are propelled forward by an aircraft-type propeller. This propeller is powered by an engine of some sort. The engine and propeller are enclosed in a protective metal cage. This cage is designed to prevent objects like tree limbs, branches, clothing, beverage containers, or wildlife from making contact with the propeller. Contact with the propeller would cause damage to the boat and injuries to the operator and passengers.

Because the boat is flat bottomed and has no operational parts below the water line, airboats are able to travel through shallow swamps and marshes. They are also frequently found in canals, on rivers, on lakes, and even travelling across frozen lakes. The design of the boat makes it an ideal vessel for flood and ice rescue operations.

The propeller on an airboat produces a column of air to the rear that propels the boat forward. Steering is accomplished by forced air passing across vertical rudders. In order to steer, forced air must be flowing. There are no brakes on airboats and the boats cannot travel in reverse.

In most cases, the operator and passengers are seated in elevated seats that allow everyone to see over swamp vegetation. The improved visibility permits the operator and passengers to observe floating objects, stumps, and any animals in the airboat's path.

Airboats produce an extremely large amount of noise because of the propeller and engine. Modern airboats are actually much less loud than their predecessors. The mufflers and multi-blade carbon-fiber propellers greatly reduce the sound emitted by the airboat.

Contact an Admiralty Lawyer

If you have been injured in an airboat accident, you may have legal options available to recover money spent due to injuries. Contact the admiralty lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 1-800-220-9341 to discuss these options and your case.