Recreational boating fun can quickly turn into a tragedy as warmer weather invites boaters to local lakes and rivers
Each year, the United States Coast Guard releases its annual report on recreational boating accidents and deaths due to accidents involving recreational vessels. The latest USCG Recreational Boating Statistic Report compiles data from 2017. This well-respected study is the 59th annual recreational boating report published by the agency.
Rising Popularity of Recreational Boating
It’s important to note that recreational boating is becoming more and more popular: more recreational vessels were registered in this country in 2017 than in previous years. From its Chicago offices, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (which represents the nation’s recreational boat, engine and marine accessory manufacturers) proclaimed that more new recreational powerboats were sold in 2018 than any year since 2007. The NMMA forecasts even more will be sold in 2019.
From NMMA president Thom Dammrich:
“The recreational boating industry has been on a seven-year climb that’s expected to continue into 2019, bringing even more people to the water. Driving these sales is a combination of the economic growth we’ve seen over the past decade, particularly with consumer confidence hovering near all-time highs and consumers seeking out boating as a way to spend quality time with family and friends outdoors. At the same time, over the past five years, marine manufacturers have put a concerted effort on offering new products that attract consumers with different interests and budgets, bringing out new buyers—especially across the watersports, fishing, and pontoon categories—three categories seeing unprecedented sales growth.”
With the surging interest in recreational boating, we can predict a corresponding increase in boat accidents and boating fatalities. From the 2017 USCG Boating Report we know the following that in 2017, the fatality rate was 5.5 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.
Drowning is Greatest Danger for Recreational Boaters
The Coast Guard Boating Report has categorized recreational boating accidents in several ways, from contributing factors and type of vessels, to the cause of each boating fatality. Sadly, their research has confirmed most of these recreational boating deaths are the result of a single cause.
Sometimes, it is not possible to determine the reason someone has died in a boating accident. When the cause of death has been determined, statistics warn that drowning is the greatest danger for recreational boaters.
The Coast Guard found that over three-quarters (76%) of fatal boating accident victims died by drowning.
A few of these drowning victims were unable to survive despite wearing safety protection, i.e., a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD). Sadly, the great majority of recreational boating drownings had victims had opted not to wear a life vest.
Risk of Boating Death: Most Dangerous Recreational Vessels
The USCG could not confirm in its latest report the size (length) of every recreational boat involved in a boating fatality.
However, where the vessel’s length was known, there was a clear pattern and warning: 80% of recreational boating deaths involved smaller vessels, measuring less than 21 feet long.
As for the type of recreational boat most commonly involved in fatal boat accidents, the Coast Guard warns of the following:
- Open motorboats are the most common type of boat involved in a boating fatality; almost half (46%) of all boating deaths involve an open motorboat.
- Personal watercraft (18%) and cabin motorboats (16%) are also very dangerous, with high incidents of fatal boating accidents.
- Kayaks were also considered risky: 15% of reported boating deaths involved someone who died while kayaking.
Alcohol Greatest Contributing Factor to Recreational Boating Deaths
It has been recognized for many years that boat operators who choose to drink alcoholic beverages are the greatest contributing factor to someone dying in a recreational boating accident. See, e.g., Hamilton, Kyra, et al. “Alcohol use, aquatic injury, and unintentional drowning: A systematic literature review.” Drug and alcohol review 37.6 (2018): 752-773.
Besides boating under the influence, other factors involved in boating deaths include:
- Operator inattention;
- improper lookout;
- operator inexperience; and
- machinery failure.
The USCG Report found that 81% of recreational boating deaths involved boat operators who had not had boating safety instructions.
Aftermath of Fatal Boat Accident: Seeking Justice for Recreational Boating Accident Victims
As we enter the summer months and the recreational boating season here in Illinois and Indiana, it is important for all of us to be aware of the risks involved in boating on our local waterways. For details, read “Boating Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: Staying Safe While on the Water.”
This does not mean we should not enjoy the fun of fishing, swimming, sailing, or skiing on Lake Michigan, Lake Patoka (Indiana), or Lake Carlyle (Illinois). It does mean that we need to be aware of the dangers we face on the waters, including the risk of being involved in a serious boat accident where the other boat operator’s negligence can have deadly consequences.
There are laws in place in both Illinois and Indiana for victims of recreational boating accidents and their families. Sometimes, federal law will also come into play, allowing federal claims to be filed on behalf of boating victims. For more, read “Liability in Serious Boating Accidents: Indiana and Illinois.”
Each fatal boating accident claim deserves its own individual analysis and investigation. There must be a determination not only of (1) the factors involved in the boat accident, but of (2) the cause of the boating death as well as (3) all the parties who may have liability under the law for what has happened.
This summer, let’s all enjoy our sunny days on the water, with an awareness of boating safety and the need to be alert to boating dangers and the risk of fatal boat accidents. Please be careful out there!
