The U.S. Coast Guard is reporting that they have witnessed a 25 percent jump in the number of boating fatalities last year. This year, the number of boating deaths is on pace to be even higher.
David Beek, whose family is the Balboa Island Ferry service owner in Newport Beach, California, stated that the number of boating accidents has risen since the beginning of the pandemic. Mr. Beek knows the waterways throughout the Newport Beach area better than anyone. His family has owned the commuter boat for both pedestrians and cars for over 100 years. Beek states that he has witnessed many dangerous things that have happened over the past 15 months. He stated that one time he observed people in rental kayaks drifting directly into the ferry’s lane. One other incident involved electric boats parking inside of the ferry’s slip. According to Mr. Beel, many of these boaters are new and experienced.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, new boat sales grew to a 13-year high in 2020. Also, sales for wake boats used for wake surfing and water skiing grew by 20 percent. Online boat rental marketplaces like GetMyBoat have seen rentals increase by over 700% in 2021.
In 2020, there were 767 boating fatalities in the United States, increasing about 25 percent from the year before. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the total number of boating accidents increased by 26 percent. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 77 percent of fatal accidents involved boat operators who did not have any boat operation training.
It is well documented that most accidents can be prevented with a little extra care and safety education. Since 1984, Montlick & Associates has been dedicated to keeping children and families safe on the roadway. Our commitment runs deep through our extensive, award-winning public service programs that provide people the information they need to avoid injuries. To learn about our Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign, Child Passenger Safety Programs, Booster Seat Campaign and much more, visit montlick.com and click on “community service,” or simply click here. You can also learn more about one of our newest driver and passenger safety programs by visiting iridesafe.com.
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Sources:https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/travel/boating-accidents.html
