Boating Safety

National Safe Boating Week: May 22-28, 2004
Boat Smart. Boat Safe. Wear It!

More than 70,000,000 Americans enjoy recreational boating each year.  Annual boat registrations have increased steadily from just over 10 million in 1988 to more than 12.8 million in 2002. During this same time period, boating-related fatalities have decreased, due in part to increased use of life jackets, or personal flotation devices (PDF).  Unfortunately, 2002 witnessed a reverse in this downward trend with 750 boating fatalities—the highest number of deaths since 1998.

May 22-28, 2004 marks the start of summer and National Safe Boating Week.  The theme for this year’s North American Safe Boating Campaign is "Boat smart. Boat safe. Wear it!”  In 2002, 4,062 participants were reported injured and 750 killed in boating incidents.  Among those who died, approximately 8 out of 10 were not wearing life jackets.  The North American Safe Boating Campaign wants to raise awareness and ensure that every person on a boat is wearing a life jacket.

Information about the North American Safe Boating Campaign and event planning materials are available from the campaign website.

Quick Facts

• In 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard received reports for 5,705 boating incidents; 4,062 participants were reported injured and 750 killed in boating incidents. 

• The number of drownings as a percent of total boating fatalities declined from 82% in 1990 to 70% in 2002; the remainder of boating fatalities were due to trauma, hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other causes.

• Alcohol involvement was documented in 38% of the boating fatalities in reported incidents.

• Open motor boats were involved in 56% of all reported fatalities and personal watercraft were involved in another 10%.

Wear Your Life Jacket While Boating
During 2002, capsizings or falls overboard led to 417 deaths--56% of all recreational boating deaths that year.  Approximately 90% of these victims drowned.

Life jacket use by all boat occupants can reduce drownings.  All states and territories (except Hawaii, Idaho, and Guam) have a mandate regarding the wearing of life jackets, though they vary and many only pertain to children under age 12.  Coast Guard-approved life jackets are now more attractive in appearance and comfortable to wear.  When properly fitted, a life jacket or PFD can prevent a tragedy. 

Avoid Alcoholic Beverages While Boating
Alcohol use affects judgment, vision, balance, and coordination.  U.S. Coast Guard data show that in fatalities involving alcohol use, over half of the victims capsized their boat and/or fell overboard.  Additionally, more than one-third of all fatalities resulting from a collision involved alcohol use.

Complete a Boating Education Course
Approximately 70% of reported incidents involve operator controllable factors.  The primary causes of incidents are operator inattention, carelessness or recklessness, inexperience, unsafe speeds, and failure of the operator or passenger-“lookout” to identify hazards. 

Boating education courses teach the regulatory and statutory rules (“Rules of the Road”) for the safe operation and navigation of recreational boats.  During 2002, 80% of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the boat operator had not attended a boating safety education course.

Participate in the Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Program  
The Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a free public service provided by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron volunteer organizations promoting boating safety.  These volunteer personnel check safety equipment and provide information about equipment purpose, safety procedures and applicable regulations. For more information on the VSC Program, visit their web site: http://safetyseal.net/index. asp

Be Aware of the Risk of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
All internal combustion engines emit CO, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas.  In the early stages, the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to seasickness and CO can kill in a matter of minutes.  Significant CO poisoning potential can include the use of air conditioning powered by an onboard motor generator; operation of any gasoline powered engine while docked and/or rafted with other boats operating engines; or being underway with improper cabin ventilation.  To avoid CO poisoning, be aware of the risk, ensure sufficient ventilation, properly install and maintain equipment, and utilize CO detectors, especially in living and sleeping areas. 

For More Information

Baron RL, Radtke T. Houseboat-associated carbon monoxide poisonings on Lake Powell--Arizona and Utah, 2000. MMWR 2000;49(49):1105-8. Available at URL: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4949a1.htm 

Baron RL, Radtke T. Notice to Readers: National Safe Boating Week --- May 19--25, 2001. MMWR 2001;50(20):415. Available at URL: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4949a1.htm

Richards RJW, Richards NN, Powell KE, Baron R, McCammon J, Redd SC, Mott JA, Stock AL. CDC. Carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from exposure to ski-boat exhaust--Georgia, June 2002. MMWR 2002;51(37):829-30. Available at URL: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5137a3.htm 

Roberts P, Ward M, Baron RL, Humble W, Hadzihasanovic M, Cox R, Tapp L, McCammon J, McCleery R. Carbon Monoxide Poisonings Resulting from Open Air Exposures to Operating Motorboats --- Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 2003 . MMWR 2004; 53(15):314-8. Available at URL  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5315a3.htm 

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators 

National Safe Boating Council

North American Safe Boating Campaign

U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety