Picture got your attention, didn’t it? But when it comes to boating injuries, the truth is that accidents like the collision that caused the damage above are the exception. Boating is surprisingly safe compared to many other activities we engage in — and getting safer. As we reported in our October 2014 issue, fatalities have dropped to 4.7 per 100,000 registered recreational boats (2013 USCG Recreational Boating Statistics), more than 80 percent below the all-time high of 27.7 deaths per 100,000 registered boats in 1973. Collision and crew-overboard incidences account for most of the fatalities.
Injuries occur more frequently — somewhere around 100 per 100,000 registered boats. While collision is also the leading cause of injury, the majority of boating accidents leading to injury are more mundane than life-threatening: a sprained ankle from jumping off the boat to the dock, a broken rib from falling down the companionway, a back injury from being thrown from the seat by a wave. These smaller accidents can still wreck your day, your week, your month, and possibly your year. Proper boat-handling practices and a few minor modifications to your boat can go a long way toward reducing the chances of an injury.
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So let’s take a look at the available accident statistics to see how you can make sure that your time on the water is relaxing, fun … and safe for you, your family, and your guests.
Overview Of Fatalities
We would all prefer that no one died while boating, but there isn’t anything we do that doesn’t have some degree of risk associated with it. So the question becomes: How risky is boating compared to other activities? Based on an analysis of the BoatUS Marine Insurance claim files between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, an estimated five people died per 100,000 registered boats. According to the Coast Guard 2013 Recreational Boating Statistics, 560 people died in recreational boating accidents in 2013, or 4.7 per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. In 2012, 14 people per 100,000 registered cars and 60 people per registered motorcycles died in accidents as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in Traffic Safety Facts. While it is difficult to directly compare any of these statistics, they all point in the same direction — boating does not seem that risky compared to other activities involving a vehicle.
Chart 1: Boating Accidents Leading To Fatalities By Type 2009-2013
Source: https://t-tees.com
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