Recreational Boating Accident Statistics

Boating is an activity that many Floridians enjoy year round. When you are sitting on the beach, you will often see jet skis, motorboats, ski boats, sailboats and other recreational vessels. Even though boating seems relatively safe, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, thousands of boating accidents occur each year in the United States. In 2008 alone, there were 4,789 reported boat accidents in the country, which resulted in 709 deaths and 3,331 injuries.

The following is a list of recreational boat accident facts reported by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Recreational Boating Statistics 2008 publication:

• Recreational boating accidents caused $54 million of property damage
• More than two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned
• Among the drowning victims, 90 percent were not wearing a life jacket
• Only 10 percent of the fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction
• Seven out of 10 drowning victims were on boats less than 21 feet in length
• Alcohol was a leading factor in deadly boating accidents
• Eleven children under thirteen years of age died in boating accidents
• Open motorboats were the most common type of vessel involved in boat accidents
  

The U.S. Coast Guard also identified the top five contributing factors in boat accidents, which were as follows:

1. Careless/reckless operation
2. Operator inattention
3. No proper lookout
4. Operator inexperience
5. Passenger/skier behavior

A boating accident can lead to serious, life changing injuries and even death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida boat accident caused by negligence, you may be able to pursue monetary damages. For more information regarding your rights following a Florida boating accident, contact an injury attorney in St. Petersburg at the Law Offices of William K. Saron at (727) 345-4566 or (866) 836-4947.