Since 1962, when broadcaster George Mooney first steered his boat down the Tennessee River to a football game, the Vol Navy has grown into one of college football’s most recognizable traditions. On home game Saturdays, boats line the river beside Neyland Stadium, tied off shoulder to shoulder, loaded with orange-clad friends and family. It’s a blast. It’s also a very different liability picture than a quiet afternoon on Fort Loudoun Lake.
Why Game Day Changes the Risk
A typical outing might involve a handful of passengers. A Vol Navy trip can mean a boat full of guests, some you know well and some you just met, stepping between rafted vessels, riding shuttle boats to shore, and celebrating for hours. More people and more movement on and off the boat simply means more chances for someone to get hurt.
Where Responsibility Tends to Land
- Guest injuries aboard your boat usually point to the owner’s liability coverage, and many policies also include medical payments for passengers
- The operator at the helm is responsible for safe operation, and Tennessee enforces boating under the influence laws on the water just as it does on the road
- Injuries while crossing between tied-up boats can raise questions about which owner’s policy should respond
The Captain’s Pregame Checklist
- Confirm your boat policy’s liability limits fit a crowded day on the water
- Ask whether your policy includes medical payments coverage for guests
- Designate a sober operator for the ride there and back
- Keep a life jacket aboard for every person, as required by law
- Consider whether an umbrella policy should sit above your boat coverage
Applegate Insurance Agency helps boat owners across Knoxville and East Tennessee make sure their coverage keeps up with how they actually use the water, game days included. A 360° coverage consultation is a great way to review your boat, auto, and umbrella limits together. Reach out through Applegate Insurance Agency in Knoxville, TN before the next home game. Go Vols!
