NTSB - Most Wanted

Most Wanted
Transportation Safety
Improvements
State Issues

Enhance Recreational Boating Safety

Importance

In the past 10 years (1997 to 2007), more than 7,900 recreational boating fatalities occurred nationwide. In 2006, fatalities totaled 710; in 2007, they totaled 685.

The Coast Guard reports that of the 685 persons who died in 2007, 476 drowned (66 percent of the fatalities); of these, 427 (90 percent) were not wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs).

Unlike general aviation and motor vehicle operators, the operator of a recreational boat is not always required to demonstrate an understanding of the basic boating rules or an ability to operate the vessel. A 1993 Safety Board study found that perhaps as few as 7 percent, and certainly no more than 22 percent, of first-time boat operators had voluntarily completed some type of boating safety course. Moreover, successful completion of these courses indicates only that the people who have taken them have knowledge of basic boating safety rules; it does not indicate that they have demonstrated competency in operating a vessel.

The Board’s 1993 study on recreational boating safety indicated that 85 percent of those who drowned in a boating accident and for whom information was available were not wearing PFDs. USCG data in 2007 indicates that 90 percent of those who drowned were not wearing PFDs, an increase of 5 percent from the proportion reported in the Board’s study.

In 2007, 67 boating fatalities involved personal watercraft (PWC) operators or passengers. Of this number, 14 drowned (31 percent) and 53 died of other injuries. In addition, about 982 PWC-related injuries were reported to the USCG in 2007.

Operators of rented PWCs in the Board’s study sample had less PWC experience than did operators of privately owned PWCs. Only one of three PWC renters included in the Board’s accident analysis indicated that the rental agent had required him or her to demonstrate competency in operating a PWC.

Safety Recommendations: This issue area currently includes one recommendation (M-93-1).

M-93-1 (the States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico)
Issued November 7, 1993
Added to the Most Wanted List: 1994
Status: Various
Implement minimum recreational boating safety standards to reduce the number and severity of accidents; consider requirements such as mandatory use of personal flotation devices for children, demonstration of operator knowledge of safety boating rules and skills, and operator licensing. (Source: 1993 Safety Study on Recreational Boating [NTSB/SS-93-01])

Since the Safety Board’s recommendations were issued, more than half of the States have enacted legislation or taken action consistent with the Board’s recommendations.

Mandatory PFD use for children: 48 States (AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN [not State-only waters], IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, and WY), the District of Columbia, and 2 Territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Mandatory education: 36 States (AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WV, and WI), the District of Columbia, and 2 Territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Thirty-four States (AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, and WV), the District of Columbia, and 2 Territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) have both PFD and education requirements. Alabama has both PFD and license requirements.

In 2007, Wyoming enacted a regulation mandating PFD use for children under age 13. (1)

In 2008, three States (IA, VA, and WI) considered legislation mandating PFD use by children. Iowa enacted a law that requires children ages 12 and under to wear PFDs. No State enacted a boating safety education mandate. Seven States (CA,

GA, KY, ME, MA, NC, and UT) considered boating safety education legislation in 2008.

Thirteen States should require either education of recreational boat operators or an operator license.

Virginia and Wisconsin should take action to mandate PFD use by children on recreational boats. Indiana should take action to mandate PFD use by children on State-only waters.

1. Wyoming enacted this regulation after the 2007 Board meeting on the State Most Wanted List.