Boating accident statistics 2024
Participating in recreational boating may involve activities such as traveling, fishing or engaging in water sports. The leading causes of recreational boating accidents in 2022 were operator inattention, lack of boat operator experience, failure to keep proper lookout, excessive velocity and machinery malfunction.
In 2022, there were a total of 11,770,383 recreational boats registered in the U.S. Florida was the state with the highest number of registered recreational boats at over 1 million boats.
Jump to insightThe U.S. Coast Guard documented 4,040 recreational boating accidents in 2022, marking a decrease of about 9% compared to 2021.
Jump to insightThe leading cause of recreational boating accidents in 2022 was operator inattention. This was also the primary factor behind the overall number of injuries, with excessive speed being the second most common cause.
Jump to insightAlcohol consumption was the primary known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2022, representing 16% of all boating-related fatalities.
Jump to insightBoating statistics
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard released a joint report on recreational boating statistics. The report presents the following significant findings:
- There were 11,770,383 recreational boats registered at the state level in 2022. This reflects a 1.6% decrease from the 11,957,886 registered vessels in 2021.
- Where the primary cause was known, alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, accounting for 16% of all boating-related deaths.
- Violations of navigation rules contributed to 50% of accidents, 35% of fatalities and nearly 60% of injuries.
- In 74% of fatal incidents, the boat operator had not received boating safety instruction, while only 14% of deaths occurred on vessels operated by individuals with a nationally approved boating safety certificate.
- Of those who died in boating accidents, 75% drowned. Among those, 85% were not wearing life jackets.
Moreover, most incidents occurred in calm waters with light wind and good visibility, when boaters are least expected to fall overboard. This underscores the importance of wearing a life jacket, as it can be a lifesaver.
How many boating accidents occur each year?
In 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard recorded 4,040 recreational boating accidents, an approximate 9% decrease compared to 2021. The year 2020 was particularly critical, registering a 26.3% increase in the number of accidents from the previous year.
Florida registered the highest number of recreational boats and boating accidents in 2022 (712). However, Tennessee had the highest percentage of deaths relative to the number of accidents (20.7%).
How much do boating accidents cost?
In 2022, the Coast Guard reported approximately $63 million in property damage due to recreational boating accidents. This represents a 7% decrease from the total damages in 2021.
Collision with another recreational vessel resulted in the highest dollar amount of damages, totaling over $15.7 million in 2022.
How many people are injured or killed in boating accidents?
Since the Safe Boating Act’s passage in 1971, when the fatality rate was 20.6 deaths per 100,000 registered vessels, boating safety measures have made significant progress. In 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 636 deaths and 2,222 injuries due to recreational boating accidents. Compared to 2021, deaths decreased by 3.3%, while injuries dropped by 15.9%. The fatality rate for 2022 was 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a 1.8% decrease from the previous year's rate of 5.5 deaths per 100,000 vessels.
Furthermore, in 2022, operator inattention was the leading cause of recreational boating accidents, contributing to 602 incidents which led to 45 deaths and 308 injuries. Operator inattention was also the primary factor for the highest number of overall injuries (308 injuries), followed by excessive speed (288 injuries). However, alcohol consumption was the main known cause of all fatal boating accidents, resulting in 88 deaths in 2022.
Most common types of boating accidents
In 2022, collisions with recreational vessels were the most common type of boating accidents, making up nearly 27% of all incidents. These collisions accounted for 1,085 incidents, resulting in 39 fatalities and 512 injuries.
What kind of boat is involved in the most accidents?
Based on available data, open motorboats were the most common type of vessel implicated in reported accidents, accounting for 47% of incidents in 2022. Open motorboats were also the vessel type with the highest number of casualties, totaling 1,450 casualties.
FAQ
What are the top three leading causes of recreational boating accidents?
The top three known leading causes of accidents in 2022 were operator inattention, operator inexperience and improper lookout (operator’s failure to notice danger).
What is the fatality rate for recreational boating accidents?
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that in 2022 the fatality rate was 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.
What vessel type is implicated in the highest number of casualties in recreational boating accidents?
In 2022, open motorboats recorded the highest number of casualties among vessel types. Specifically, there were 1,450 reported casualties in motorboats, comprising 292 fatalities and 1,158 injuries.
Which state reported the highest number of recreational boating accidents?
Florida reported the highest number of accidents in 2022. However, it is worth noting that Florida also ranked first in the number of registered recreational boats for that year.
References
- “Number of registered recreational boats in the United States in 2022, by state.” Statista. Evaluated May 10, 2024.Link Here
- “2022 Recreational Boating Statistics.” U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard. Evaluated May 9, 2024.Link Here
- “Coast Guard releases summary of 2022 recreational boating statistics.” U.S. Coast Guard News. Evaluated May 10, 2024.Link Here
- “Recreational Boating Facts.” National Safe Boating Council. Evaluated May 11, 2024.Link Here
- “Damages caused by recreational boating accidents in the United States from 2001 to 2022.” Statista. Evaluated May 10, 2024.Link Here
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