Boating Fatalities Up 12 Percent Across US

WASHINGTON, DC — Recreational boaters in the United States suffered more fatalities last year than any time in the past five years, according to a new report from the U.S. Coast Guard. In releasing its recreational boating statistics on Wednesday, the agency said that the number of fatalities on America's waterways reached 701 in 2016. That number represents a 12 percent increase over the previous year's total of 626 despite increased efforts to raise safety awareness.

“The boating safety community should view these statistics as a stark reminder of the importance of boating safety education,” said Capt. Scott Johnson, chief of the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety at Coast Guard Headquarters. “We are committed to providing boaters with resources including boating safety classes and vessel safety checks. One person lost or injured to a preventable boating accident is one too many so we encourage the boating public to use these educational resources as a means to prevent accidents." (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Patch.)

See related story: Boating Safety: How to Avoid Troubled Waters

The report also said that the number of injuries among boaters increased 11.1 percent from 2,613 to 2,903, and the total number of accidents increased 7.3 percent from 4,158 to 4,463.

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Where the cause of death was known, the Guard said that 80 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned. But 83 percent of those drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket at the time.

“Wearing a life jacket, regardless of whether or not a state or federal law requires one to be worn, is the single greatest factor in preventing death from drowning,” said Johnson. “All boaters should wear a lifejacket at all times when on the water, no matter your age, physical ability, or condition.”

Lt. Drea Hahn, who captains the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Fastboat, told Patch that boaters should make sure they have proper safety equipment with them even if they are just going out for a few hours on a sunny afternoon.

"Life preservers, flares — if you are further offshore where you are not within range of shouting distance — noise makers, visual aids and then, also as minor as it may seem, when you go out on a day on a boat, let other people know who are on land, that you expect to be back by a certain time and how far you expect to be offshore," she said.

Motorboats, personal watercraft and cabin motorboats accounted for the most accidents. Some 77 percent of deaths occurred from vessels where the operator had not received boating safety instruction where such information was known.

Open motorboats, kayaks and canoes accounted for the most fatalities.

The report also found:

• The fatality rate increased to 5.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels from 5.3 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, an 11.3 percent increase over the previous year’s rate.
• Associated property damage amounted to $49 million in 2016.
• Alcohol was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. It was cited as the leading factor in 15 percent of deaths.
• The top five primary contributing factors in accidents were operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed and machinery failure.

To view the 2016 Recreational Boating Statistics, click here. Visit the Office of Boating Safety's website for more information on boating responsibly.

Boating enthusiasts take advantage of the turquoise waters off Miami Beach over the long Memorial Day weekend. Photo by Paul Scicchitano.