While some people never spend time on the water, others enjoy boating throughout the year. If the water is your second home, it is imperative to understand one thing: There is always the possibility of being involved in an accident. Think of operating a boat in the same manner as an automobile.
According to the United States Coast Guard Boating Safety Division, there were more than 4,000 boating accidents throughout the United States in 2014. Unfortunately, 610 people were killed and 2,678 people were injured in these accidents.
Here is something else to consider: There was approximately $39 million of property damage due to recreational boating accidents.
When compared to the previous year, 2014 saw an increase of .05 percent in the number of boating accidents. Along with this, there was a 2.2 percent increase in the number of injuries and an 8.9 percent increase in the number of deaths.
With a fatality rate of 5.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, it is easy to see the dangers associated with operating a boat.
Why do boating accidents happen? While there are many reasons for this, the United States Coast Guard Boating Safety Division notes that alcohol use is the leading contributing factor at 21 percent of deaths.
Boating accidents are common throughout the United States, and especially in warm weather states where people are on the water 12 months out of the year.
If you are involved in a boating accident, don’t hesitate to receive medical attention. From there, you can worry about damages and who was at fault.
Source: United States Coast Guard Boating Safety Division, “2014 Recreational Boating Statistics,” accessed Dec. 21, 2015