Last month, the United States Coast Guard released their 2017 Recreational Boating Statistics Report. According to the report, last year saw a decrease in recreational boating accidents from 2016. The Coast Guard reported over 4,000 accidents that involved 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and approximately $46 million dollars of damage to property.
In 2017, the percentages of accidents, deaths and injuries all decreased—accidents decreased by 3.9%, deaths decreased by 6.1% and injuries decreased by 9.4%. However, the report included the top five primary accident types: collision with recreational vessel, collision with fixed object, flooding/swamping, grounding and falling overboard.
Although the trends are going downward, reading reports like this can put things in perspective. We encourage you to read this report for further information, and as a reminder that safety should always be top-of -mind while on the water. We all want to avoid becoming a statistic.
The Coast Guard also dedicates a page on their website to recreational boat safety, with useful links on topics such as: Accident Reporting, Boater Education, Vessel Safety, Life Jacket Wear, Paddling Activities, File a Float, Carbon Monoxide education and Boating Under the Influence.