Boating Accident Statistics

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Recreational boating fatalities in the States, five U. S. Territories, and the District of Columbia dropped to a record low of 676 in 2004,, and then rose slightly in 2005 to 697, and then rose again to 710 in 2006, according to the CG Recreational Boating Accident Report Database (BARD). The highest number of recorded boating fatalities was an incredible 1,750 in 1973, with 90% of those fatalities caused by drowning.
Many boating accidents were the result of alcohol use, and most of all boating fatalities could have been prevented by wearing personal flotation devices.

Personal watercraft deaths were down from 79 in 1995 to 54 in 1996, but then rose to an all time high of 84 in 1997. In 2006, there were 68 PWC fatalities, three more than in the previous year.

In 1963, there were 33 deaths for every 100,000 boats. In 2003, there were 5.5 fatalities for each 100,000 boats.

The Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety estimates are that .24 PWC-related deaths per million hours of use. By comparison, open motorboats are responsible for .14 fatalities per million hours of use.
Click here for a complete summary of 2006 Boating Safety Accident and Fatality statistics in pdf format. You can also click on this link to find historical and archived boating accident statistics.

Here are some of the highlights of recreational boating accident statistics through 2006, compiled by state law enforcement authorities and the U. S. Coast Guard, and published by the National Safe Boating Council.

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