In the latest information available, the U.S. Coast Guard has compiled a summary of boating safety statistics for the year of 2006. Possibly the most telling statistic is that boating fatalities have increased for the second year in a row since 2005 with a total of 710 fatalities. Personal injuries of 3,474 and property damage of $43.7 million were increases for the year as well. A review of the safety data is important to recreational boaters. This is because the contributing factors underlying these tragedies have remained for the most part unchanged and they are easily corrected.
Top Five Types of Accidents in 2006 - There was a shift in the top five rankings for accident type in 2006 compared to 2005. Fall overboard moved down the list from number two in 2005 to number four in 2006. Looking at the chart, it is apparent that falls overboard and capsizing caused the greatest number of fatalities at 417 deaths.
- Collision with a Vessel - 1,360 accidents with 75 deaths
- Collision with a Fixed Object - 517 accidents with 47 deaths
- Skier Mishap - 510 accidents with 12 deaths
- Falls Overboard - 485 accidents with 202 deaths
- Capsizing - 455 accidents with 215 deaths
Top Ten Contributing Factors for Accidents in 2006 - These are factors in rank order that contributed to boating related accidents:
- Operator Inattention
- Careless or Reckless Operation
- Excessive Speed
- Passenger or Skier Behavior
- No Proper Lookout
- Operator Inexperience
- Alcohol Use
- Hazardous Waters
- Machinery System Failure
- Equipment System Failure
2006 Boating Statistics Summary - These are some important statistics that describe contributing factors and accident causes in 2006:
- Two-thirds of all boating related fatalities were caused by drowning
- Ninety percent of boating accident victims that drown were not wearing a lifejacket
- Eighty percent of boating accident victims that drown were in boats less than twenty feet long
- In 70% of the accidents that caused a fatality, the operator had no boating safety training
- Alcohol is contributing factor in 20% of all boating related fatalities
- Nearly twice as many children drown in boating accidents during 2006 compared to 2005
- Open motorboats or skiffs were the most common type of boat to be involved in an accident at 45%
- There was a marked increase in kayak and canoe fatalities in 2006 with 99 deaths
- 12,746,126 boats were registered in the United States during 2006
A review of the accident and injury statistics show that responsible boaters can take a few simple steps to prevent most serious problems while on the water. The first action is to always wear a lifejacket. This alone takes you out of ninety percent fatality rate class related to drowning. By taking a boating safety class, you are removed from the 70% fatality rate group as well. Avoiding alcohol or drugs while boating increases your safety substantially.
Reference: United States Coast Guard. Boating Statistics 2006. Commandant Publication P16754.20
Alan Sorum - Alan Sorum is the Maritime Operations Project Manager for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). Alan is ...
