Parasailing Insurance and Safety Tips Before Hitting the Water
Parasailing insurance is something that your clients should have before embarking on an adventure with a boat over the water. Parasailing is a thrilling activity many enjoy, but it’s not without risks. While most people who parasail do so without any problems, accidents can still happen, especially for first-timers unfamiliar with its potential dangers. That’s why having robust parasailing insurance coverage is vital.
In this article, we’ll delve into what parasail insurance is and provide essential safety tips to remember before hitting the water.
Parasail Insurance
Parasailing coverage is a specialized type of insurance that protects against liabilities from parasailing operations. To ensure complete coverage, a parasailing business should have multiple forms of insurance, including general liability insurance, watercraft insurance, business interruption insurance, commercial insurance coverage, and more.
Essential Safety Tips for Parasailing
Before embarking on a parasailing adventure, doing a little research is essential. Here are some methods to partake in a safe and enjoyable parasailing experience.
Perform A Visual Inspection
Your clients should not just rely on a company’s word for the safety of the equipment. They should look for signs of damage on the rope, harness, and other parasailing equipment. If anything appears unsafe or questionable, it’s best to find a different operator.
Sitting Is Safer
There are two ways to experience parasailing: sitting in a gondola or hanging from a harness. Although hanging may seem more exciting, sitting in a gondola is always safer. In case of a towline break and a potential fall, sitting in a gondola is safer than being suspended by shroud lines and a large parachute canopy.
However, for those who decide to go with the harness setup, make sure that the operator provides the following:
- A comprehensive pre-flight safety briefing of the associated risks.
- Proper use of hand signals.
- Instruction on correct positioning.
- The best and safest actions to take in case of an emergency.
Check the Weather Forecast
Parasailing should be avoided during unfavorable weather conditions such as high winds, rain, or lightning, regardless of assurances from the parasailing company.
In an incident in Panama City, Florida, two teenage girls suffered catastrophic injuries due to a crew member’s negligence. Despite the high winds, the crew member sent the girls out, which resulted in the parasail breaking free from the motorboat and crashing into several parked cars.
Ask Questions Before Signing a Release Form
The operators are responsible for obtaining informed consent and signatures from participants before sending them into the air. Simply handing participants the release form and collecting their signatures may not be enough to fulfill the duty of informed consent. It is advisable to ask questions and clarify doubts before signing the release form.
About Merrimac Marine Insurance
At Merrimac Marine, we are dedicated to providing insurance for the marine industry to protect your clients’ business and assets. For more information about our products and programs, contact our specialists today at (800) 681-1998.