Boating is a fantastic pastime: the U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics Guide for 2020 shows that its popularity increased during the pandemic as a way to get outside and maintain social distancing. However, more boats on the water mean more accidents. To be specific, 5,265 accidents involving 767 fatalities, 3,191 injuries, and $62.5 million in damage. That’s an increase of approximately 25% in accidents, fatalities, and injuries over the 2019 statistics.
While everyone knows that accidents can occur due to issues beyond anyone’s control (and that’s why you maintain your OC boat insurance), the statistic guide shows that most accidents were caused by factors at least partially within the control of the operator. Here are the leading causes of boat accidents:
1. Distracted Operator
There can be a variety of distractions on a boat, but the operator is always expected to remain alert and attentive to the boat, its surroundings and its passengers. Unpredictability of factors such as wind, water, and weather require maintaining a careful watch. Distraction and inattention of the boat operator is the leading cause of accidents, resulting in 664 accidents, including 55 deaths and 383 injuries in 2020.
2. Inexperienced Driver
77% of deaths occurred on vessels where the driver was not trained in boat safety. 612 accidents with 56 deaths and 343 injuries were attributed to the lack of experience of the operator.
3. Improper Lookout
Many boaters fail to observe this important safety component. A lookout should be designated to watch for hazards that the driver may not see. Failure to employ a proper lookout was the third biggest factor in boating accidents, resulting in 578 with 28 deaths and 409 injuries.
4. Extreme Speed
Just like roads, most waterways have speed limits to help reduce collisions and to ensure that boat operators have time to react to hazards they may encounter. Excessive speed contributed to the fourth-highest number of boating accidents: 418. Speed also caused 32 deaths and 345 injuries.
5. Faulty Machinery
Boat owners have a responsibility to keep their vessels in good working order, avoiding problems with steering, the motor, or the hull, and maintaining their OC boat insurance. Machinery failure resulted in 373 accidents, 19 deaths and 151 injuries.
6. Alcohol
Alcohol use can cause boat operators to suffer from impaired judgement, vision, and reaction time. Most states have the same alcohol limits for boat drivers as for automobile drivers. Use of alcohol is the sixth leading cause of accidents, but was the leading factor in boating fatalities, causing 296 accidents, 115 fatalities, and 260 injuries.
7. Other Issues
Other issues contributing to accidents on the water include violation of navigation rules, weather, hazardous waters, and force of waves or wake.
Boat owners need to be aware of the issues that contribute to accidents and do their part to mitigate these issues. Most accidents can be avoided by remaining sober and alert, performing maintenance, and exercising caution.
About Mariners Insurance
Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.
