Is it isn’t very conventional.
If you think you, as a boater, understand the risks for boating you might surprised to find out that what you hold to be true might be false or just plain wrong. I, as an insurance agent, over the years have heard and or been involved in many losses/accidents in the boating community but it wasn’t until I was given a copy of a United State Coast Guard report on maritime casualties that I truly understood how wrong the conventional boater wisdom is about risks on the water.
So I decided to share my findings with you. I enjoy boating and the best thing I like to do is getting off work early and cruising for a couple of hours before dark as a way to relax. Some of you may agree or have your own idea of the ideal boating experience and I bet there just as good if not better. I was surprised to view what I thought was a benign activity is actually one of the riskiest.
After reading this report I thought you should know what the risks are to the average boater applying conventional wisdom. The purpose of this is to enlighten you on the various statistical data collected on boating in the state of Florida with a little national information thrown in.
The following was taken from two sources the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission and the Unite States Coast Guard for the years 2004 and 2005 (It is the only current information I could find. Also excuse some of the formatting it wouldn't transfer from MS word.)
Florida has the largest number of registered Boaters in the United States in 2005 at: 1,010,370
The United States has a total of number of registered Boaters in 2004 at: 12,781,476
A reportable accident is defined as: A boating accident involving any one or more of the following criteria:
1. Death
2. Disappearance of any person under circumstances that indicate possible death or injury.
3. Damage to a vessel or other property with a minimum of $2,000 aggregate property Damage
Some summary information or stats at a glance:
Total fatalities increased by 15% over 2004 deaths in Florida.
Drowning was the leading cause of death (71%) in fatal boating accidents.
Rental Personal Watercraft (PWC) was involved in 36% of PWC accidents statewide, but only constitutes 2.09% of all registered personal watercraft for 2005.
Florida saw a high number of boating fatalities in 2005 the most since 1995.
2005 60% OF ALL REPORTABLE BOATING ACCIDENTS
Happened in 10 counties
2005 TOP TEN VESSEL ACCIDENTS BY COUNTY
1. Monroe
2. Palm Beach
3. Miami-Dade
4. Broward
5. Pinellas
6. Lee
7. Volusia
8. Collier
9. Duval
10. Bay
2005 TOP TEN PRIMARY TYPES OF ACCIDENT
1. Collision with vessel
2. Collision with fixed object
3. Fall Overboard
4. Flooding (Swamping)
5. Grounding
6. Capsizing
7. Fall involving Personal Water Craft
8. Sinking
9. Fall in Boat
10. Collision with floating object and/or person
2005 #1 OPERATION AT TIME OF ACCIDENT
Docked or Moored when accident occurred*
2005 #1 ACTIVITY AT TIME OF ACCIDENT
Recreational Cruising*
*SO IF YOUR EITHER MOTORING OR DEAD STOP YOUR AT THE GREATEST RISK
2005 #1 TYPE OF ACCIDENT
Collision with vessel
2005 #1 CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS
Carelessness/Inattention
2005 NUMBER OF VESSELS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT
58% of total accidents involve 1 vessel
69% of total fatal accidents involve 1 vessel
2005 TOP TEN PRIMARY CAUSES ASSESSED BY REVIEWING AUTHORITY
1. Careless/inattention
2. Violation of navigable Rules
3. Alcohol Use
4. Operator Inexperience
5. Machinery Failure
6. Weather
7. Excessive Speed
8. Hazardous Waters
9. Other
10. Equipment Failure
2005 PROBABILITY OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT BY TOP TEN COUNTIES
1.Monroe 1 in 224 chance of being in an accident*
2.Palm Beach 1 in 860 chance of being in an accident*
3.Miami-Dade 1 in 1,224 chance of being in an accident*
4.Broward 1 in 1,255 chance of being in an accident*
5.Pinellas 1 in 1,516 chance of being in an accident*
6.Lee 1 in 2,133 chance of being in an accident*
7.Volusia 1 in 2,133 chance of being in an accident*
8.Collier 1 in 1,101 chance of being in an accident*
9.Duval 1 in 1,661 chance of being in an accident*
10.Bay 1 in 1,027 chance of being in an accident*
*(Accident rate is defined as: # of Recreational Vessels divided by the # of Accidents = Accident Rate)
2005 PROPERTY DAMAGE IN DOLLARS PER TOP TEN COUNTIES
1. Monroe $1,609,267
2. Palm Beach $1,163,450
3. Miami-Dade $ 799,900
4. Broward $ 876,815
5. Pinellas $ 96,170
6. Lee $ 290,100
7. Volusia $ 376,200
8. Collier $ 47,600
9. Duval $ 352,400
10. Bay $ 206,315
2005 UNIFORM BOATING CITATIONS
Violation of Aids to Navigation
& Regulatory Markers 17
Alcohol and Drugs 438
Boating in Restricted Areas 9,935
Negligent Operation of a Vessel 1,990
2005 REPORTABLE BOATING ACCIDENTS
•Monroe County reported the highest number of accidents and injuries
•77% of those who died in boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket, while 77% of victims were reported as being able to swim.
2005 REPORTING FATALITIES
•Falls overboard fatal accidents increased 53%
•79% of fatal falls overboard accidents involved a vessel 17 feet or less in length classified as an open motorboat.
•69% of fatal falls overboard occurred on calm waters.
•None of the fatal falls overboard accident victims were wearing or using a life jacket.
•83% of fatal falls overboard accident victims were 36 years of age or older.
•53% of fatal falls overboard accident victims were 51 years of age or older.
2005 STANDOUT FATALITY STATISTICS
•Leading cause of death in fatal boating accidents was drowning (71%) follow by trauma (21%)
•Most likely time to be killed in a boating accident is during the months of March, April, July and or August between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
•41% of boating fatalities were caused by either alcohol use or carelessness
•77% of those who died in boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket, while 77% of victims were reported as being able to swim.
•Most fatal boating accident victims were males (87%) who were 22 years of age or older (90%)
•58% of boaters involved in fatal boating accident reported having over 100 hours of boating experience, while 90% had no formal boater education.
•23% of fatal victims had been drinking alcoholic beverages or using other drugs.
•Alcohol/drug use was the leading primary cause of fatal boating accidents.
2004 NATIONAL STATISTICS
•Florida ranked 1st in accidents with followed by California at number 2; Michigan was 10th
•Approximately 70% of all fatal boating accident victims drowned.
•Approximately 90% of the victims who drowned were not wearing their personal flotation device (PFD or Lifejacket). Based on the data approximately 431 live could have been saved if Lifejackets were used.
FOR THOSE OF YOU INTERESTED HERE IS A LIST OF REPORTS OF SOME SELECTED INCIDENTS AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I WARN YOU MOST INVOLVED A FATALITY
Date: January 7, 2005
County: Miami-Dade
Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
Victim(s): 1
On January 7, 2005, a 23’ Seacraft (V-1) was traveling on plane westbound in Biscayne Bay in Miami-Dade County. A 21’ Contender (V-2) exited the Coral Gables waterway on plane also. Both vessels collided and the occupants of V-2 were ejected. A male occupant on V-2 died as a result of trauma that he received when the two vessels collided.
Date: March 12, 2005
County: Monroe
Body of Water: Gulf of Mexico
Victim(s): 1
On March 12, 2005, a 25-foot Southwest commercial lobster boat was found going in circles at a slow speed bayside of Marathon Shores. There was no one on board. There were live spiny lobsters onboard in a live well. It appeared that the victim had been pulling lobster traps prior to his disappearance. The victim was located deceased the next day.
Date: March 12, 2005
County: Pinellas
Body of Water: Tampa Bay
Victim(s): 1
On March 12, 2005, the victim was attempting to push his 2003, 25-foot Grady White out of shallow water from the stern. The vessel was still in gear, and he was struck in the head by the prop causing a fatal injury. Alcohol may be a factor in the accident.
Date: March 13, 2005
County: Duval
Body of Water: St. Johns River
Victim(s): 1
On March 13, 2005, three people onboard an 18-foot Mako were anchored adjacent to the south jetties in the St. Johns River, in Duval County. A wave entered the vessel over the transom and a second wave swamped the vessel, subsequently sinking it. One occupant swam to the jetties while another grabbed a seat cushion. Another boater and USCG rescued the two. The victim floated away from the vessel toward the ocean. The victim was located by Law Enforcement and transported to Baptist Hospital where he was pronounced dead. This individual died as a result of drowning and was not wearing a life jacket.
Date: March 19, 2005
County: Collier
Body of Water: Gulf of Mexico
Victim(s): 1
On March 19, 2005, two individuals went fishing for the day from Collier County. They were fishing out of a 23-foot Seabird around 30 miles southwest of Marco Island. The vessel started taking on water after they heard a loud bang. They had just enough time to put on life jackets. The vessel sank, and they were found on Monday, March 21, at 9:00 a.m. The victim was found floating deceased. She was wearing her life jacket and died from exposure (hypothermia). The other occupant was located alive a distance from the victim.
Date: March 27, 2005
County: Palm Beach
Body of Water: Lake Worth
Victim(s): 1
On March 27, 2005, around 4:20 p.m., on the Intracoastal Waterway, North of Curie Park in Palm Beach County, a personal watercraft (PWC) (V1) and a 31-foot Spirit Sport (V2) collided. V1 was occupied by two teenagers and V2 was occupied by adults and children. Both vessels were headed south bound, with V1 just ahead of V2 on its port side. V1 turned in front of V2 with V2 turning hard starboard to avoid a collision. V2 ran over V1, killing the passenger and critically injuring the operator.
Date: April 7, 2005
County: Okaloosa
Body of Water: Destin Pass
Victim(s): 2
On April 7, 2005, around 5:00 p.m., USCG received an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) distress signal at a location one mile southeast of Destin Pass. USCG Destin responded to the location and found a 25-foot Sea Pro capsized. The search and rescue mission was started by USCG, FWC, US Air Force, and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department. The two men on board were from Fayetteville, Georgia and were experienced boaters. Preliminary information has revealed that the owner of the boat was very safety conscious and the vessel was well equipped. Investigators suspect that the vessel stuffed into a wave causing a rollover due to the fact that the men did not have time to radio a distress call or put on life jackets. Sea conditions that day were six to eight feet with a small craft advisory. Both victims died as a result of drowning.
Date: April 14, 2005
County: Indian River
Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
Victim(s): 2
On April 14, 2005, three individuals went offshore fishing on a 20-foot Wellcraft in the Atlantic Ocean in Indian River County. While returning from offshore, they had engine problems which caused the vessel to swing stern first into heavy seas. After placing a frantic 911 call the three fishermen went over the side as the vessel sank rapidly stern first. The three men held on to various floating debris and the one throwable life preserver that floated, then they attempted to swim westward toward the shoreline. Only one survivor made it to shore, approximately 14 hours after the vessel sank. The other two victims were not wearing life jackets and drowned.
Date: April 18, 2005
County: Escambia
Body of Water: Gulf of Mexico, South of Pensacola Pass
Victim(s): 2
Two subjects went fishing on April 18, 2005, adjacent the reef Russian Freighter which is eight miles South of Pensacola Pass in Escambia County. The father of one of the victims spoke with them at 3:00 p.m. and both subjects were okay. At 9:00 p.m., the father reported his son had not returned to the dock and search and rescue efforts began until 3:00 a.m. At 6:00 a.m. search and rescue efforts resumed. At 8:20 a.m., the vessel was located submerged with no one onboard. The female victim was located deceased. The Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as drowning. The male victim was never recovered.
Date: April 26, 2005
County: Palm Beach
Body of Water: Jupiter Inlet
Victim(s): 1
On Tuesday, April 26, 2005, two friends were fishing from a vessel in the Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County. They elected to return to dock when the boat hit a huge wave causing the victim to be ejected from the boat. The passenger told deputies that the victim told him to turn off the boat and he did; however, he drifted further away from the boat and was unable to get out of the water. The passenger tried to turn the boat back on, but didn’t know how to do so. He said he was going to throw the victim a life jacket, but the current had carried him very far away. The passenger then flagged down another boat using the life jackets. The radio on the second boat didn’t work, and the boater’s looked for the victim for at least 30 minutes before a third boater called for help at approximately 1:47 p.m. A Marine Unit arrived on scene and found the victim face down in the water. The victim’s body was transported to Jupiter Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as drowning.
Date: June 19, 2005
County: Lake
Body of Water: Silver Glenn Springs Run
Victim(s): 2
On June 19, 2005, a husband and wife anchored their vessel in the Silver Glenn Springs Run in Lake County for an overnight stay. They were sleeping in the berthing area of a 23-foot Chaparral. The victim’s boat had a Honda generator strapped to the back of the boat running an air conditioner. There was also another boat that was anchored directly beside the victim’s boat and it also was running a generator. Exhaust fumes from the generators entered the cabin area of the victim’s boat. Both victims died in their sleep as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Date: July 31, 2005
County: Martin
Body of Water: Stuart Sandbar
Victim(s): 1
On July 31, 2005, a 21-foot Checkmate and a PWC left the Stuart sandbar and headed to the manatee pocket in Martin County. Both operators were attempting to spray each other and the PWC cut in front of the Checkmate. The Checkmate struck the PWC, killing the victim upon impact.
Date: August 1, 2005
County: Monroe
Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean, at Long Key Bridge
(Commercial)
Victim(s): 1
On August 1, 2005, the commercial fishing vessel “Mainly Lobster” was setting lobster traps in the water, oceanside of the Long Key Bridge. The vessel went through a small wake which rocked it side to side slightly, and the first mate fell overboard portside along with a lobster trap. The first mate was not entangled with the lobster trap line, and he attempted to stay afloat but was unable. A life ring was thrown near him but he did not attempt to get it, and the vessel came around to pick him up as he started to go down. Another mate jumped into the water and pulled the first mate out before he reached the bottom. He was unresponsive and was brought into the vessel, and CPR was started. United States Coast Guard, Monroe County SO, and FWC were notified. The first mate was pronounced dead by the medical examiner on shore and the cause of death was drowning. The first mate was not wearing a life jacket.
Date: August 6, 2005
County: Citrus
Body of Water: Marker #14, Crystal River Channel
Victim(s): 1
On August 6, 2005, a 21-foot center console boat with operator and passengers was returning from a scalloping trip in the Gulf of Mexico in the Crystal River Channel located in Citrus County. During the trip, the vessel collided with Channel Marker 14. The victim was thrown from the vessel prior to or on impact with the marker piling and went under water. The victim did not surface. Citrus County SO and FWC responded to the area. The victim’s body was recovered around 5:25 p.m. about 65-70 feet from the marker. Alcohol may be a factor in the accident. The cause of death was ruled to be drowning. The victim was not wearing a life jacket.
Date: August 6, 2005
County: Polk
Body of Water: Lake Alfred
Victim(s): 1
On August 6, 2005, the victim’s vessel was traveling on plane across the middle of Lake Alfred in Polk County. The occupant was sitting on a seat in the rear of the vessel looking backwards. For reasons unknown at this time, the vessel made an immediate right turn, ejecting both the operator and occupant. Neither was wearing a life jacket. The passenger noticed the victim floating face down for a brief moment before he went under. Other persons nearby noticed the vessel still running in circles and came to assist. The victim was found floating by aircraft at 7:00 a.m. the following morning. The victim had what appeared to be propeller cuts across his back and head. The Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as trauma.
Date: August 13, 2005
County: Pinellas
Body of Water: Boca Ciega Bay
Victim(s): 1
On August 13, 2005, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a 17-foot Archer Craft (V1) and 32-foot Proline (V2) were traveling south in Boca Ciega Bay in the area of the Gulf Port Pier in Pinellas County. The front left side of V1 collided with the right front side of V2. The operator of V2 stopped the vessel and attempted to search for the victim in the water to no avail, but was able to retrieve the victim’s dog from the water unharmed. V2’s operator and passenger received no injuries. V1 sank to the bottom of Boca Ciega Bay approximately 500 yards to the west of Gulf Port Pier. The victim sustained a head injury which contributed to his drowning on scene. The victim was not wearing a life jacket.
Date: August 26, 2005
County: Duval
Body of Water: Durbin Creek
Victim(s): 1
On August 25, 2005, at 10:00 p.m. the operator and wife (occupant) were tied alongside two other vessels in Durbin Creek in Duval County. The operator had a portable generator tied to the bow of his vessel. The operator was attempting to refuel the generator when he slipped on the bow. Witnesses stated they heard a “thud” sound suggesting the operator struck the adjacent vessel. One of the occupants of the adjacent vessel attempted to locate the victim in the water, but was unsuccessful. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue divers arrived on the scene at 1:15 a.m. and recovered the victim’s body. Alcohol may be a factor in the accident.
Date: September 10, 2005
County: Broward
Body of Water: Dania Pier, Atlantic Ocean
Victim(s): 1
On September 10, 2005, two divers were snorkeling three-quarters of a mile offshore just south of the Dania Pier in Broward County. An unknown vessel struck one of the divers. The divers did have a dive flag deployed, but it was not to regulation size. Injuries were extensive and the victim died. The boat operator did not stop and has yet to be identified.
Date: September 12, 2005
County: Indian River
Body of Water: Indian River at the Wabasso Relief Bridge
Victim(s): 1
On September 12, 2005, around 4:00 p.m., a 20-foot center console Sportscraft was traveling southbound on plane in the ICW channel near the County Road 510 causeway in Indian River County. The vessel’s operator turned westerly toward the middle span of the CR 510 relief bridge. On approaching the bridge, the operator slowed the vessel slightly and attempted to go under the bridge. The vessel’s T-Top struck the bridge beam, causing the center console to pull loose from the deck, and forced the console and T-Top toward the stern of the vessel. The operator was ejected into the water. A passenger unsuccessfully attempted to locate the operator. The Vessel occupant suffered a possible broken nose and a cut to his elbow and lower leg. The body of the operator was recovered and an autopsy revealed the cause of death was drowning.
Date: September 18, 2005
County: Miami-Dade
Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
Victim(s): 1
On September 18, 2005, the female victim was bow riding on a 1995, 25-foot Four Winns pleasure boat on the Atlantic Ocean in Miami-Dade County. The boat struck a wave and she fell over the port left bow. The bow rail broke as she attempted to hold on. The operator of the boat turned the wheel to starboard and placed the throttles in neutral. The operator advised investigators he felt the boat and motor hit the deceased. He also advised she had a pulse, and he held her head above the water as he swam her back to the boat. The victim died as a result of the injuries she received from the boating accident.
Date: September 29, 2005
County: St. Lucie
Body of Water: Fort Pierce Inlet
Victim(s): 1
On September 29, 2005, two individuals were fishing out of a 1988, 17-foot center console Wellcraft, one mile north of the Fort Pierce Inlet in St. Lucie County. They had anchored the boat in a position where both of them were facing the beach while fishing. A wave swamped the boat and filled it with water causing the passenger to fall out of the boat. The operator was unable to throw the victim a PFD. He was able to get the anchor up and by the time he got the boat turned around the victim had disappeared. The body was later discovered, and the cause of death was determined to be drowning. The victim was not wearing a life jacket.
Date: November 8, 2005
County: Palm Beach
Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean – NE of the Hillsborough Inlet about 6 miles offshore
Victim(s): 1
Two occupants on V1 went on a fishing trip out of the Hillsborough Inlet. V1 was trolling about 6 miles offshore when it was swamped by two large waves. V1 sank and the two occupants were able to retrieve life jackets and remain afloat. The two subjects remained afloat together for some time before they became separated. One of the occupants was rescued by a Good Samaritan. The other occupant remains missing.
Date: November 11, 2005
County: Palm Beach
Body of Water: ICW at Marker #40, East of the Lantana Bridge
Victim(s): 1
On November 11, 2005, the operator and two occupants left a restaurant in Boyton Beach heading north on the ICW around 8:15 p.m. The vessel they were traveling in was a 15-foot center console Key West. The vessel collided with a channel marker and all three occupants were ejected, after which the vessel continued underway unoccupied. The operator suffered minor injuries and the female occupant sitting beside him sustained fatal injuries. The other occupant was uninjured. They were rescued by a jet skier and another passing boat. The unoccupied boat continued south and struck several docks before coming to rest at a dock in Lantana.
Date: December 2, 2005
County: Seminole County
Body of Water: Lake Fairy
Victim(s): 1
On the above date, three adult females were cruising on Lake Fairy in a 22-foot cuddy cabin. The lake is located in Seminole County. According to a witness, one passenger appeared to stand up and fall backwards overboard into the water. The occupants located the passenger’s body with a flashlight at the bottom of the lake in seven feet of water. The operator marked the location with a GPS and returned to the dock to call for emergency assistance. The victim was recovered by law enforcement upon their arrival.
The thing about conventional wisdom 
