• Georgia Accidents & Injuries
• Georgia Boating Law
• Georgia Criminal Defense
• Georgia DUI
• Georgia Safety Ideas

• Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law
• DUI Arrest Defense Attorneys
• Criminal Defense Attorneys
• Divorce and Family Law
• Wills, Estate Planning and Georgia Probate
• Business Law and Business Litigation Attorneys
• Landlord Tenant Lawyer
• Eminent Domain, Condemnation

Boating Accident Attorney of Lake Lanier Georgia Explains: Boat Capacity and the Danger of Overloading

View More Boating Articles

There are two main concerns with exceeding maximum capacity:  Georgia boat injury lawyer describes below Boat capacity requirements.  Boating laws in Georgia state that the owner of a boat is liable for injury due to negligent operation.

1. Most boats will have a maximum capacity of a certain number of people or a certain weight. It’s important to understand that you are over capacity if you exceed either number or weight, even if you are under on the other. A common error is not counting children in the number of people. Everyone counts on capacity, whether they are an adult or a child. It is also important to estimate weight. For example, if the capacity is 10 people or 1,700 pounds, if you have 10 people on the boat, the average weight must be 170 pounds or less per person. This also includes any items you bring on board, including coolers.

2. If the boat is overloaded, you run the risk of capsizing or swamping the boat which, of course, can be a very dangerous situation.

At Breakfield & Associates, Attorneys, our Georgia boat injury lawyers welcome any questions about boating safety and boating law.  If you, a family member or friend has been injured due to a boating accident, please Call or Email us about any questions you may have about Georgia Boating law safety violations.  Your initial consultation is free and confidential.

About the authors: David B. Purvis and John Breakfield are Georgia BUI Lawyers with Breakfield & Associates, Attorneys in Gainesville, Georgia and handle various legal matters arising on the lakes of Georgia, including Boating Under the Influence Criminal Defense and Boating Injuries, as well as  DUI / DWI, BUI, Accident & Injury and other Georgia Criminal Defense matters.   The law office of Breakfield & Associates, Attorneys can assist clients through out Georgia including:  Lake Lanier, Lake Hartwell, Hall County (Gainesville, Oakwood, Flowery Branch), White County (Cleveland), Lumpkin County (Dahlonega), Gwinnett County (Buford, Sugar Hill, Lawrenceville), Dawson County (Dawsonville), Habersham County (Demorest, Cornelia), Banks County (Homer) and all of Northeast Georgia.

This article and video should not be considered nor relied upon as legal advice since it is only intended for general overview and informational purposes. Please consult with an attorney on your specific situation in order to determine an appropriate legal course of action.

Back to Articles