According to the Norwegian Maritime Authority, its latest report showed an unusual number of casualty accidents in the region. Specifically, in summer of 2019, serious accidents have been reported while 28 people lost their life using recreational boats, marking an increase of four people in comparison with 2018.
The Norwegian Maritime Directorate has a zero vision that no one should lose their lives when using a recreational boat. We, therefore, in cooperation with others, will intensify the preventive work to try to influence the development.
…said Petter Andre Søreng, head of recreational vessels section of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate.
As NMA further highlighted, 27 of the 28 total fatalities were male, with an average age about 50 years old, while the youngest of them was 20 years.
Moreover, the vast majority of the dead person reported to somehow fallen into the water. In ten out of 28 cases, the boat has cambered and 12 of the accidents came due to fall overboard without harming the ship. For instance, when pulling nets, rod fishing or as a result of getting a rope in the propeller.
We see that people have generally become better at using floatation equipment, but the accident figures nevertheless show that too many opt out of this simple and good safety measure. The use of float equipment could undoubtedly have prevented several of the deaths in 2019. It is also important for everyone to have equipment that makes it possible to notify them in the event of an accident.
…Petter Andre Søreng continued.
Additionally, NMA paid attention on the floating equipment, as more of than half of the fatal life jackets were missing. In four of the incidents it is unclear whether the life jacket was properly used.
For the records, July and August noted several major accidents with 14 people losing their lives and the vast majority’s death coming from open or closed motor boats.
By driving a boat into a state of intoxication, you endanger yourself, passengers and the surroundings. We strongly recommend that you stay sober when driving a boat.
…Petter Andre Søreng further marked.
Overall, such incidents and drownings are a common-seen phenomenon in every region. Recently, the Maritime New Zealand in its initiative focused on ways to prevent drowning and called people to be fully aware and pay attention when in, on and around the water.
