The following figures are from the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2018 Recreational Boating Statistics, the latest record of reported boating accidents in the U.S.
- In 2018, the Coast Guard counted 4,145 accidents that involved 633 deaths, 2,511 injuries and approximately $46 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.
- Tragic boating incidences may be prevented: Each year hundreds of people lose their lives in boating incidences, and they may still be alive if they had been wearing a life jacket. The message is simple – life jackets save lives.
According to recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics, where cause of death was known:
- 84 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket in 2018.
- Drowning is the reported cause of death in 77% of all boating fatalities.
- 8 out of every 10 boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length.
Boating education is important!
- Where instruction was known, 74% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction.
Learn more about recreational boating statistics. Get the facts.