06/14/2013

Boating Injuries and Accidents Down in 2012

The U.S. Coast Guard released recreational boating statistics on Tuesday, May 14th, detailing a healthy decline in boating-related injuries, accidents, and deaths in 2012. From 2011 to 2012, deaths in boating-related accidents decreased from 758 to 651, a 14.1 percent decrease and the lowest number of boating fatalities on record. Injuries decreased from 3,081 to 3,000, a 2.6 percent reduction; and the total reported recreational boating accidents decreased from 4,588 to 4,515, a 1.6 percent decrease. Statistics contained within the report provide a clear link between operator training and safety on the water: only 14 percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received safety instruction or training. The report also highlights the importance of lifejackets; 84 percent of overall drowning victims, and 80 percent of young victims, were found to not be wearing PFDs. 

Accidents, damage, and injuries associated with recreational boating are preventable. Experienced, responsible operators with safety training and consistent use of lifejackets significantly reduce the likelihood of an accident. With over 12 million registered vessels in the U.S., the chances of being involved in an accident are small, but taking simple precautions can save lives.

Read the report here.