Operators, not watercraft, cause accidents

According to U.S. Coast Guard, boating accidents on the water increased in 2005 with 4,969 reported accidents and 697 fatalities. California ranked first with 630 reported boating accidents and 58 fatalities in 2005, and Florida ranked second with 603 reported boating accidents and 78 fatalities.

The leading causes of boating accidents are all operator-controlled, such as inexperience, inattention, and collisions with other vessels or fixed objects such as docks.

The Personal Watercraft Industry Association says that while recreational boating accidents do, unfortunately, occur, the vast majority are completely avoidable. Fatal accident data show that in 2005, approximately 426 lives could have been saved if boaters had been wearing life jackets.

“The very first step is to take a boating safety class,” says Maureen Healey, executive director of the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. “Approximately seven out of 10 boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had received no boating safety instruction.”

Boating safety courses are available through many organizations, including the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons.

Topics USA