According to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), there were 12,746,126 registered in the States and Territories. Millions safely use these vessels for recreational boating activities each year without incident. While the numbers aren't overwhelming, injuries from boat propeller strikes are very traumatic and greatly preventable.
Using USCG safety data for 2006, there were 8 fatalities and 98 injuries related to propeller strikes.
The Texas Experience - Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published findings of a study in Texas that addressed propeller related injuries in boaters. There were 600,000 boats registered in the State during the study year of 1997. Researchers monitored hospital admissions near four major lakes during the active boating season. During the study period, 13 people suffered prop injuries and 3 died.
Using this information, it is apparent that propeller related injuries are under reported at the national level. The most common cause of prop injuries found in the study were climbing into or out of the boat and participating in activities like water skiing or use of personal watercraft.
Recommendations for Reducing Propeller Related Injuries - Safety researchers and the Coast Guard have developed a number of recommendations on how to avoid prop strike injuries:
- Make sure each person onboard is wearing a lifejacket. PFDs can prevent drowning and increase the visibility of a person in the water
- Avoid operating a vessel or participating in water borne activities while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Operate boats well outside of marked or known swimming and diving locations. Learn to correctly identify markers and buoys that delineate these zones
- Whenever possible, steer clear of congested areas where is a greater chance of encountering people in the water
- Learn to identify the two most common diver down flags use by boaters
- Be sure that all passengers are onboard and seated before getting underway
- When there are small children onboard, it is a good idea to assign a responsible adult to watch each one of them
- Avoid starting a boat in gear
- Utilize a safety lookout or observer while towing water skiers
- Don't allow passengers to bow ride
- Use installed engine switches, especially when operating alone
- Take a boating safety class
Propeller injuries are some of worst traumatic injuries that can be witnessed and cause terrible injuries. Propeller related injuries are also among the easiest to avoid accidents for boaters.
Changes in technology offer solutions to the problem as well. Advances have been made in jet drives, propeller guards, man overboard alarms, wireless tethers, and ignition interlocks. Nationally a group called Stop Propeller Injuries Now (SPIN) has been established to lobby for regulations that will lower the chance of further injuries.
References:
- United States Coast Guard. Boating Statistics 2006. Commandant Publication P16754.20
- Centers for Disease Control. Boat Propeller Related Injuires - Texas, 1997. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 47(17); 354-356, 1998
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