In the calendar year 2020, the US Coast Guard reports that there were 5,265 recreational boating accidents that involved 767 deaths and 3,191 were injured.
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 18% of the deaths.
Additional contributing
factors for deaths were operator inexperience, operator inattention, excessive speed, improper lookout, navigation rules violation, drug use, sharp turn, failure to vent and restricted vision.
ABA encourages
every boater to be serious about boating safety, starting with the proper
kind and amount of boater training. Remember, a boating mishap or fatality
often involves innocent people who share in none of the blame, but all of
the consequence. As a responsible boater, the life you save may very well
be someone else's. Remember,B E S A F E* - KNOW YOUR...
Boat
Equipment
Safety devices and PFDs
Alcohol limits
First aid and emergency procedures
Environment (area and weather)
...BEFORE YOU GO!
* Source: National Safe Boating Council
Take a few
minutes to browse through the headings in this important section.
The following helpful boating pointers are useful to boaters of all types.
ABA assumes no responsibility or liability for events that occur due
to actions you or others on your behalf take based on the information given.
You are proceeding at your own risk.
It is always a good idea to use the
U.S. Coast Guard
Float Plan that describes the details of your planned outing. It contains
the who, what, where, when and how of your outing or trip. Simply fill out
the form before heading out on the water, print it, and leave it with a
person who can be depended upon to notify the local police, sheriff, Coast
Guard station or other rescue organization, should you not return as scheduled.
(Do not file this plan with the Coast Guard.) The information provided is
considered the "minimum" information needed when filling out a float plan.
Consider utilizing the back side(s) of these forms to provide as much detailed
information as possible to ensure complete information is on hand in the
event you should have a mishap.
Boating Accident Statistics
Read the latest recreational boating accident statistics as compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard to learn
from others' mistakes. The information is available in Adobe PDF File format.
PFDs
Every member of your crew should have a
U.S. Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Device. PFDs, they float
you don't! Of the 534 recreational boating drowning deaths in 2020, the
US Coast Guard approximates that 450 victims (84%) were not wearing a life jacket. The following are guidelines for
the care and use of PFDs:
Buy your own life jacket, and wear it. One size does not fit all.
Look at the label for size and weight limitations.
Try it on and check the fit. With straps and buckles secured, the
life jacket should not slip over your head or cover your eyes.
Make sure the life jacket is Coast Guard approved.
Replace your life jacket if you find air leakage, mildew or rot.
Never alter a life jacket. It could lose its effectiveness.
Check your life jackets yearly for flotation and fit.
Wear a life jacket to set an example for younger children while
increasing your chances of survival.
Make the Memorial Day holiday a gift-giving event - buy your boating
children and (or) grandchildren a PFD fitted to their size at the beginning
of each boating season. Children need special care because of changing
size and distribution of body weight.
Children and Boating Safety
Boating Safety "Sidekicks" introduces kids to the world of boating with safety in mind and with the hope of developing a lifelong love and respect for boating.
Most boating safety information only includes direct threats caused by
equipment failure, weather, alcohol, unsafe boating, or accidents. We think
that boaters should also think about their family's health and safety from
the perspective of environmental threats and
clean boating activities. Visit
our clean boating activities area
to learn more.
Contacts
For more information on boating safety and boating courses, contact your
State Boating Agency, Coast Guard District or call the Boating Safety Hotline
(1-800-368-5647).
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)
has a representative responsible for boating safety education in each state,
Click here to find your state's representative.
