GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
As we arrive at the seventh week of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, our focus turns to boat safety.
Many believe that operating a boat is easier than a car. However, recreational boaters don't have the benefit of daily boat operations experience. In fact, boaters only average 110 hours on the water a year. Look at how often people get hurt at work or in a car - and these are activities they do daily.
Whether fishing, water skiing, paddling around or boating, there should always be an experienced and sober driver. In Texas, the blood alcohol content limit while operating a watercraft is 0.08, the same as a motor vehicle; but using alcohol can be more dangerous to boaters because boat operators are often less experienced and less confident on the water than on the highway.
According to the Executive Summary of the U.S. Coast Guard 2012 Report:
- In 2012, the Coast Guard counted 4,515 accidents that involved 651 deaths, 3,000 injuries and approximately $38 million of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.
- The fatality rate was 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. This rate represents a 12.9 percent decrease from last year's fatality rate of 6.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.
- Compared to 2011, the number of accidents decreased 1.6 percent, the number of deaths decreased 14.1 percent and the number of injuries decreased 2.6 percent.
- Almost 71 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those almost 85 percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket.
- Almost 14 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction. Only nine percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received boating safety instruction from a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators approved course provider.
- Seven out of every 10 boaters who drowned used vessels less than 21 feet in length.
- Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, machinery failure and excessive speed rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.
- Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 17 percent of deaths.
- Twenty-four children under age 13 lost their lives while boating in 2012. Ten children, or approximately 42 percent of the children who died in 2012, died from drowning. Two children, or 20 percent of those who drowned, wore a life jacket as required by state and federal law.
- The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats, personal watercraft and cabin motorboats.
- The 12,101,936 recreational vessels registered by the states in 2012 represent a 0.59% decrease from last year when 12,173,935 recreational vessels were registered.
- Although the number of fatalities has decreased, even one is too many. Note the causes listed above and be prepared to mitigate the risks by having all the proper equipment and training. Do not speed, and do not drink while operating a watercraft.
What makes water safety more complex is that there are so many different hazards based upon the activity or location. Risk management is necessary and the links below can help novice and seasoned professionals alike.
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/default.aspx
http://www.boatingsafety.com/
http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/
http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/default.asp
Proper preparation for all water activities is vital. In order to prevent tragedies you should learn lifesaving techniques, learn CPR, know your water-sport vehicle and the limitations of the machine, know your skills and stay within those boundaries, ensure safety equipment is operational and never mix alcohol with water activities.