Decrease of Deaths on the Water
2007 Boating Statistics Do Show Rise in Accidents and Injuries
There was a decrease in deaths in 2007 related to recreational boating. However data shows a significant rise in the number of accidents, injuries, and property damage.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has announced that deaths related to recreational boating have decreased during the 2007 season. The number dropped from 710 deaths in 2006 to 688 in 2007. This is the lowest number of fatalities since the 2004 boating season and the third lowest figure since the Coast Guard began keeping these statistics.
While the number of deaths decreased, data for 2007 shows a significant rise in the number of boating accidents, related injury incidents, and property damage.
- Injuries rose from 3,474 in 2006 to 3,686 in 2007
- Recreational boating accidents went from 4,967 in 2006 to 5,223 in 2007
- Property damage measuring $43,670,424 in 2006 rose further to a new record value of $53,288,858 in 2007
Agency Comments - In an Agency press release, Director of Prevention Policy, Rear Admiral James Watson says of the data, "It's gratifying to see the number of deaths going down. We hope that this is a result of more boaters adopting responsible boating behaviors, such as making sure that everyone on board are wearing properly-fitting Coast Guard-approved life jackets at all times. Overall, boating remains a safe, enjoyable way for Americans to recreate. Still, 688 deaths and 5,223 accidents are way too many, especially considering that the vast majority could have been prevented through simple, responsible behavior on the part of owners and operators."
Contributing Factors - Operator inattention, careless and reckless operation, passenger or skier behavior, excess speed, and alcohol use remain the top five classes of contributing factors related to recreational boating accidents. Alcohol use leads as the primary contributing factor in 21% of the fatal boating accidents. Other disturbing statistics are that three quarters of all boat operators involved in a fatal accident have received no formal boating safety education and with drowning shown as the leading cause of death in fatal boating accidents, 90 percent of these victims were not wearing life jackets.
Publication of Final Report - The final public Boating Statistics 2007 report should be released sometime online in June of 2008 at the Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division's website. This website offers many other useful boating safety resources that are available as free downloads.
The Coast Guard asks the boating public to help in its effort to improve recreational boating safety. Fatalities, injuries, and property damage can all be greatly reduced by taking personal responsibility for boating safety. This involves wearing a life jacket, taking a boating safety class, participating in the vessel safety check program, and having a designated boat operator that isn't using alcohol. The agency message to everyone is "Boat Responsibly!".
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