Accident Resource Center of Michigan
According to the U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics, there were 556 boating fatalities in 2024, marking the lowest number of boating deaths since the Coast Guard began collecting statistics more than 50 years ago. In 2024, there were 3,887 boating accidents resulting in 2,170 injuries and approximately $88 million in property damage. The fatality rate was 4.8 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a 2% decrease from 2023. Many serious injuries occur as a result of recreational boating accidents. Victims can suffer lacerations, broken bones and concussions.
Many fatal boating accident victims drown because they were not wearing a personal flotation device. Where cause of death was known, 76% of fatal boating accident victims drowned, and where personal flotation device usage was known, 87% were not wearing a life jacket. Many lives could be saved if boaters always wear life jackets.
Boating accidents involve motorboats, including cabin motorboats, personal watercraft, as well as non-motorized craft, such as canoes and kayaks. The most common types of boating accidents involve a collision with other vessels or with a fixed object, falling overboard, capsizing and water skiing accidents. The top five primary contributing factors in accidents are operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure, and navigation rules. Alcohol use remains the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, accounting for 20% of deaths in 2024. Where instruction was known, 69% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Boating operators have a legal obligation to operate their watercraft in a safe and responsible manner.
Here are a few tips for safe boating:
- Never drink alcohol and go boating.
- Take a boating safety course.
- Put down the cell phone.
- Drive at a safe speed and follow all boating safety and navigational rules.
- Check the weather and be prepared for it to change.
- Take action before a storm hits.
- Register for a free Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) and have a VHF radio equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) installed to your GPS.
- Use a carbon monoxide detector.
- File a float plan.
- Get a free Vessel Safety Check from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron.
For additional safe boating tips, visit: http://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/index.php?m=rb.
Victims of boating accidents may suffer death or serious injuries that require long-term hospitalization and rehabilitation, loss of wages and difficulties in assuming normal daily activities. If you, a friend or loved one has been injured in a Michigan boating accident, it is important that you speak with a knowledgeable and experienced Michigan boating accident lawyer to learn how you can protect your rights. Complete the online form for a free case evaluation or call the toll-free number of The Law Offices of Henry M. Hanflik at 1 (888) 905-4632.
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