- Lack of boating safety education accounts for 77% of fatal accidents.
- Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.
- Drowning is the reported cause of death in 79% of all boating fatalities; 86% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.
- The top five primary contributing factors in accidents are operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and alcohol.
- Boaters should know their limits and avoid the “too’s”: too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much hard activity.
- Boaters should swim in supervised areas only and follow all signs and warnings.
Please invest in your boater education and safety; search for a wealth of online and Coast Guard boater education classes available!
