Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: Rod Sullivan
Profession: Maritime Attorney

Category: Safety at Sea

Two men in their late twenties were out fishing from a canoe when one of them, who wasn't that comfortable around the water, decided he needed to urinate. Having no cup to pee into, and not wanting to pee in the boat, he knelt in the canoe and began peeing over one side. Unfortunately he lost his balance and capsized the canoe, putting he and his brother-in-law into the water.

Normally, capsizing a canoe is no big deal. Most canoes float even when filled with water, and a skilled canoeist can, even in deep water, refloat the canoe, get in and bail out the remaining water, and then help the other canoeist in. The passenger in this case panicked and began swimming for shore rather than staying with the boat. He tired out before he reached the shore, and drowned.