Boating Safety
From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
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 nearly 12.8 million in 2003, the
last year for which we have data. During this same time period,
boating-related fatalities have decreased, due in part to increased
use of life jackets, or personal flotation devices (PFD).
In 2003, 3,888 persons were reported injured and
703 died in boating incidents. Among those who drowned, 86% 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
Tips for Preventing
Boat Injuries and Deaths
Wear Your Life Jacket While Boating
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, reports suggest that more than one-third of
all fatalities resulting from a collision involved alcohol use.
Complete a Boating Education Course
More than half (57%) of reported incidents in 2003
involved 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 2003, 77% 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 U.S. 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.
Be sure to check state and local requirements, available
from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators website,
before boating as there are different rules and regulations for operator-age,
safety equipment, etc. in different parts of the country.
Source: U.S. Coast
Guard, Department of Homeland Security (US). Boating Statistics [online].
2003. [cited 2005 May 8].
