USCG released its Recreational Boating Statistics, revealing that last year alcohol was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents and was listed as the leading factor in 15 percent of deaths. Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.
Last year, 701 fatalities were recorded, the highest number of yearly boating fatalities in the last five years. From 2015 to 2016, deaths increased 12 percent from 626 to 701, injuries increased 11.1 percent from 2,613 to 2,903, and the total number of accidents increased 7.3 percent from 4,158 to 4,463, USCG informs.
The report also showed that in 2016:
- The fatality rate of 5.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels reflected an 11.3 percent increase from the previous year’s rate of 5.3 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.
- Property damage totaled approximately $49 million.
“Wearing a life jacket, regardless of whether or not a state or federal law requires one to be worn, is the single greatest factor in preventing death from drowning,” said Capt. Scott Johnson, Chief of the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety at Coast Guard Headquarters. Capt. Johnson emphasized that all boaters are obliged to wear a lifejacket at all times when on the water, no matter age, physical ability, or condition.
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to boat responsibly on the water: wear a life jacket, take a boating safety course, attach your engine cut-off switch, get a free vessel safety check, and avoid alcohol or other impairing substance consumption.
