Two men -- Shawn Michael Wilson, 35 and Caleb Steele, 30 -- were killed in a fatal Orange County boating accident in Huntington Harbour the morning of June 27, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Another man, 37-year-old James Geekie sustained head injuries, but survived. Orange County Sheriff's Department investigators have found that alcohol played a part in this boat crash. Both Wilson and Steele died when they hit a bridge during high tide. The men needed to duck to avoid striking the bridge, but they failed to do so. Wilson was the driver and registered owner of the 12-foot inflatable Zodiac boat.

Investigators said they found empty beer cans in the boat and also learned later that the men had been drinking at local bars before they took the early morning ride. Eyewitnesses also called officials prior to the boat crash to report "reckless boat riding."

This is a horrible and tragic boating accident, which could have been prevented. Boating under the influence is no different from driving under the influence. When you are boating, you still need those sharp instincts and presence of mind as when you are driving a car. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Wilson and Steele. I offer my deepest sympathies to them. Please keep them in your prayers.

With a spectacular start to the summer and the boating season in sunny Southern California, it is important to bear in mind that while boating can be a lot of fun, it can also be deadly -- especially when recklessness or inexperience is involved. Boating accidents are apparently increasing and most of these boat crashes involve recreational vessels such as personal watercraft. According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2007 boating statistics, the number of boating-related deaths fell from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007. But the number of boating accidents increased from 4,967 to 5,191. Boating related injuries rose from 3,474 to 3,673 and damages increased from $43 million to $53 million during that period.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard's statistics, the most common causes of boating accidents are alcohol use, careless or reckless operation, passenger behavior and excessive speed. Also according to their findings, more than two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those victims 90 percent were not wearing a life jacket. A majority -- about 86 percent of the operators who were killed or injured in boating accidents -- had not received boating safety instruction.

According to the most recent report by the Department of Boating and Waterways, there were 55 boating accident fatalities in California waters in 2007, half of those in Southern California. Twenty California victims were found to be under the influence of alcohol. Also, nearly half of the alcohol-related fatalities in the water in 2007 were boat passengers.

This tragic Huntington Beach fatal boat accident serves as an important reminder for all of us to not get on a boat while intoxicated or under the influence. Remember that if you cause a boating accident that injures or kills another while under the influence, you could be held civilly and criminally liable for the accident and resulting injuries. If you have been the victim of a boating accident as a result of someone else's negligence or recklessness, please call experienced Orange County personal injury attorneys who will fight for your rights and make sure you get the justice and compensation your rightfully deserve.

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