Rec boating deaths up for 2016

WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard released its 2016 Recreational Boating Statistics on May 31. It revealed boating fatalities nationwide totaled 701, the highest number on record in five years. From 2015-16, deaths increased 12 percent; injuries were up 11.1 percent (to 2,903); and the total number of accidents increased 7.3 percent (to 4,463). “The boating safety community should view these statistics as a stark reminder of the importance of boating safety education,” said Capt. Scott Johnson, Chief of the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety at Coast Guard HQ. Alcohol was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents and was listed as the leading factor in 15 percent of deaths. Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure ranked as the top five contributing factors in accidents. The most common vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats, personal watercraft, and cabin motorboats. (Source: Coast Guard HQ 05/31/17)