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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 and 2006. In 2007, there were 685 boating fatalities reported by the CG Recreational Boating Accident Report Database (BARD), and in 2009, that figure rose to 736. The highest number of recorded boating fatalities was an incredible 1,750 in 1973, with 90% of those fatalities caused by drowning. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 672 people died from boating related accidents in 2010 - a decrease of nearly 9 percent from 2009. However, approximately 88 percent of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.

    Reported injuries rose from 3,474 in 2006 to 3,686 in 2007, and reported accidents rose from 4,967 in 2006 to 5,223 in 2007, and then dropped to 4,789 in 2008. There were 3,358 injuries reported in 2009. And although 2006 set a record for property damage at $43,670,424, 2007 topped that again with property damage reported to be a whopping $53,288,858 with $54 million again in 2008. It's estimated that there was $36 million in damage in 2009.

    Many boating accidents were the result of alcohol use, and most of all boating fatalities could have been prevented by wearing personal flotation devices.

    Remember, drinking while boating is just as dangerous as drinking while driving an automobile. If you do either, you'd be better off in the long run to donate your boat or donate a car to charity rather than becoming another boating accident or automobile accident statistic.

    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 2009, there were 42 Personal Watercraft deaths reported.

      FOR 2009

    • In 2009, the Coast Guard counted 4,730 accidents that involved 736 deaths, 3,358 injuries and approximately $36 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. Three-fourths (75%) of all fatal boating accidents in 2009 resulted from drowning. EIGHTY-FOUR PERCENT WERE NOT WEARING LIFE JACKETS! Seven out of ten who drowned were in open motorboats less than 21 feet in length.

    • The fatality rate was 5.8 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. This rate represents a 3.6% increase from last year's fatality rate of 5.6 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.

    • Compared to 2008, the number of accidents decreased 1.23%, the number of deaths increased 3.81% and the number of injuries increased 0.81%.

    • Only fourteen percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction.

    • Operator inattention, operator inexperience, excessive speed, improper lookout and alcohol rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.

    • Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 16% of the deaths.

    • Eighteen children under age thirteen lost their lives while boating in 2009. 50% of the children who died in 2009 died from drowning. 44% of those who drowned were wearing a life jacket as required to do so by state law.

    • The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (46%), personal watercraft (22%), and cabin motorboats (14%).

    • The 12,721,541 boats registered by the states in 2009 represent a 0.23% increase from last year when 12,692,892 boats were registered.

        WASHINGTON- -Statistics compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard show the use of alcohol while boating was the leading contributor to on-the-water accidents?and the needless loss of 126 lives during 2010.

        The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary encourages all boaters to Boat Responsibly and be sure you have a designated sober and qualified skipper on board to ensure your boat gets back to the dock safely. In all, 605 deaths from boating accidents were recorded last year, with July being one of the most hazardous months for boaters.

        During 2010, alcohol use was involved in 330 boating accidents and, in addition to contributing to the deaths of 126 boaters, resulted in injuries to 293 others.

        Just as in driving a car, alcohol use while boating can lead to impairment of critical senses needed to avoid boating accidents. Slowed reaction time and diminished decision making ability can make your day on the water a less than enjoyable one. Additionally, alcohol can cause dehydration and illness when you are exposed to a hot, sunny day of boating.

        Boat Responsibly, and don't mix alcohol with your day on the water.

        The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer Component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.

    GET ALL ACCIDENT STATISTICS FOR THE YEARS 1998-2009

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