US Recreational Accident Causes

[rbcoomer]

Apologies if this has been highlighted before, the figures are for 2008.

Inspired in part by the Tragic events reported here, I thought that although quite old, this document relating to US Recreational Boating Statistics - as referred to by FistralG - warranted some discussion.

The report is quite long, but a pretty easy read given that it's comprises mostly charts and tables. There is however a lot of useful information that I think we can perhaps all learn something from.

The number of fatalities and injuries from recreational boating accidents are quite comprehensively analysed and if each of us pay a little extra attention to even just one or two of the top causes, an extra tragedy might be averted?

Their top 5 fatal accident causes are probably not a surprise:-

• Collision with vessel
• Flooding/Swamping
• Collision with fixed object
• Falls overboard
• Capsizing

Nor perhaps is the fact that vessels in the 16' to 26' group make up the biggest segment.

However, some more surprising figures for me include:-

Speed of vessel (where known) at time of accident - biggest group was under 10mph

Water conditions - calm with waves of less than 6" make up over half of the accidents!

Visibility - most by far were in good visibility!

Age of operator - the biggest group (almost a third) was 36 to 55 years old...

Once again unsurprising, the no.1 cause was "Careless/reckless operation" followed by "Operator inattention" (Interestingly, for the biggest group of "Open Motorboats", these two were reversed. Does this mean that drivers of open motorboats are less reckless than average, but more inclined to lack of attention! )

Finally, I was personally surprised to see that Alcohol featured less (5th) than passenger/skier behavior (3rd)? Makes me wonder what fellow boaters over the pond get up to that's so dangerous?

 

[Tranona]

More interestingly you will find the number of incidents in sea areas (as opposed to inland waterways) and particularly sailboats is tiny.

Statistics reflect the stereotype of US boating - small high powered runabouts used on lakes and rivers by people (lots of them) who have not got a clue how to handle boats properly.

Interesting reading, but driven by USCG reporting methodology (not that it is bad) and little that translates directly to the UK environment.

 

[Red]

Thanks for highlighting the accidents, it is good that everyone who participates in our wonderful recreation is made aware of pitfalls...

 

[Searush]

Low speed, calm water, fine weather, lake or waterway environment - "What could possibly go wrong?"

The vast majority of car accidents happen close to home; it's where you most often are, where you feel comfortable & safe. Consequently it is where your guard is relaxed. Same applies to the above really.

 

[Assassin]

Looking at the Americans general attitude I can understand this, often they think they are invincible, have little or no respect for what they own, and are often so gung-ho that boating accidents are inevitable.