Bed And Break - Boating Accidents Put A Damper On Water Fun

The statistics are derived from accident reports that are filed by the owners and operators of vessels involved in accidents. The United States Coast Guard compiles statistics on reported recreational boating accidents, every year. But boating can become very dangerous when boats are not operated properly or when boaters take to the water under inclement weather conditions. And boating is a year-round pastime for many men and women, boating is a very popular summertime activity for many families.

Boating Regulations

To file a Boating Accident Report (BAR) when any of the following occurs: that is used for recreational purposes and is numbered, current regulations require that the operator of any vessel,

* A person dies

* A person is injured and requires medical treatment at a place other than the accident site

* A person disappears from the vessel

000 or more or there is a complete loss of any vessel * Damage to vessels and other property totals $2,

Damage reports have to be made within 10 days of the occurrence. Serious injury or someone's disappearance must be reported within 48 hours of the occurrence, boating accidents involving death.

And boating accidents caused just under $39 million in property damage, there were almost 13 million recreational vessels registered with the United States Coast Guard, in 2005. 451, and the number of injuries from boating accidents in that year was 3, the number of fatalities from boating accidents in 2005 was 697. 969, the total number of accidents reported in 2005 was 4.

Boating accident information reveals that over 400 lives could have been saved that year if boaters had worn their lifejackets. 87% were not wearing their personal floatation device, of those who drowned. Approximately 70% of all fatal boating accident drowned.

Factors Involved in Accidents

Personal watercraft and cabin motorboats were the three types of vessels most frequently involved in a boating accident in 2005, open motorboats. Alcohol use was either a direct or indirect contributing factor in approximately one-quarter of all boating fatalities in 2005. Excessive speed and operator inexperience, operator inattention, the factors most often attributed to boating accidents are reckless operation. Are capsizing and falls overboard, however, the two biggest causes of fatalities. The most common type of boating accident reported was a collision with another vessel.

Steps can be taken to prevent an accident or to minimize damage if an accident does occur: when operating a recreational vessel, Boating accidents can certainly be prevented.

* Wear lifejackets at all times

* Do not consume alcohol while boating

* Be aware of the weather

* Use any available distress-alerting and GPS technologies

Accidents involving damage only must be reported within ten days of the accident. Death or disappearance of a person, a report must be filed within 48 hours of the incident if there is injury, if you are involved in a boating accident.