The U.S. Coast Guard this week stated deaths linked to leisure boating in 2024 have been the fewest because it began gathering such statistics greater than 50 years in the past.
Boating fatalities fell 1.4% to 556 from 564 in 2023, Coast Guard officers stated.
Whereas the variety of deaths decreased in 2024, nonfatal accidents rose 2.1%, from 2,126 in 2023 to 2,170 final 12 months.
Alcohol consumption whereas boating continues to be the main recognized contributing issue to deadly accidents. It accounted for 92 deaths, or 20% of whole fatalities in 2024, the officers stated.
“Boating below the affect shouldn’t be solely unlawful, however additionally it is harmful,” stated Capt. Robert Compher, the Coast Guard’s director of inspections and compliance. “The consequences of alcohol may be magnified when boating within the solar and on a transferring vessel. Staying sober protects you and people round you.”
Many of the deaths occurred on boats operated by individuals who hadn’t acquired boating security directions. They accounted for roughly 70% of fatalities. Open motorboats, private watercraft and cabin cruisers have been the type of vessels most concerned in reported incidents, the officers stated.
The boat-related fatality charge was 4.8 deaths per 100,000 registered leisure vessels, a 2% lower from the earlier 12 months’s charge of 4.9 deaths per 100,000. The fatality charge was 20.6 deaths per 100,000 in 1971, when the Boat Security Act turned legislation, the officers stated.
Property harm from boating accidents in 2024 totaled $88 million. The first contributing components in accidents final 12 months have been operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, equipment failure and navigation issues, the officers stated.
There was a rise in deaths on standup paddleboards, with drowning accounting for three-quarters of them. Greater than 85% of the victims weren’t carrying life jackets on the time, the officers stated.
