2012 recreational boating report shows drop in accidents
U.S. Coast Guard releases 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics Report showing the lowest number of fatalities on record, overall drop in accidents & injuries.
These statistics are derived from accident reports that are filed by the owners / operators of recreational vessels involved in accidents in all fifty states, five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
In 2012, the Coast Guard counted 4515 accidents that involved 651 deaths,3000 injuries and approximately $38 million dollars of damage to property as aresult of recreational boating accidents.
The fatality rate was 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.This rate represents a 12.9% decrease from last year’s fatality rate of 6.2deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.
Compared to 2011, the number of accidents decreased 1.6%, the number ofdeaths decreased 14.1% and the number of injuries decreased 2.6%.
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listedas the leading factor in 17% of deaths.
The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were openmotorboats (47%), personal watercraft (19%), and cabin motorboats (15%).
The top five primary contributing factors in accidents Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, machinery failure, andexcessive speed rank.
For additional information, view the report 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics.
Source: USCG