LEWISTON, ID — There was an overall decrease in boating fatalities and incidents across the United States during the 2023 calendar year. The U.S. Coast Guard today released statistics on recreational boating incidents.
Fatalities fell by 11.3% last year to 564 from 636 in 2022, while overall incidents decreased by 4.9% from 4,040 to 3,844. Non-fatal injuries also declined by 4.3% from 2,222 to 2,126. Nationally, there were 11,546,512 vessels registered last year.
Idaho had 48 boating incidents in 2023, with seven fatalities and 23 non-fatal injuries. Overall, the state had 89,332 registered vessels.
In Washington, there were 52 boating incidents, 23 of which resulted in fatalities and 11 non-fatal injuries. Last year, 233,372 vessels were registered in the state.
Boating under the influence continued to be the leading known contributing factor in U.S. fatal boating incidents in 2023, accounting for 79 deaths, or 17% of total fatalities, the Coast Guard says.
Alcohol use as a contributing factor resulted in 36 Idaho incidents between 2019 and 2023, with 14 fatalities – one in 2019, three in 2021, and 10 in 2022. There were a total of 29 injured people during that timeframe.
Meanwhile, alcohol was a factor in 39 Washington State incidents during the five-year period. There were 19 fatalities – nine in 2019, three in 2020, two in 2021, three in 2022, and two last year. Overall, there were 30 people injured.
The statistics add that operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure were the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.
The national data also shows that the fatality rate was 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, which is a 9.3% decrease from the 2022 rate of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered vessels.
“In 1971, when the Safe Boating Act was first passed, the rate was 20.6 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels,” the statistics show.
Overall, 87% of victims were not wearing a life jacket, and drowning accounted for 75% of all boating deaths. The 2023 national boating incidents caused around $63 million in property damage.
“Boaters should remain vigilant on the water as most incidents occur when you might least expect them – in good visibility, calm waters and little wind,” according to Captain Amy Beach, Inspections and Compliance Director. “The most frequent events involve collisions with other vessels, objects or groundings, which is why it is so important to keep a proper lookout, navigate at a safe speed, adhere to navigation rules and obey navigation aids.”
The Coast Guard says deaths occurred predominantly on vessels operated by people who had not received boating safety instruction, accounting for more than three-quarters of fatalities. Boater education is required in Idaho and Washington.
You can find more information about boating education in Idaho at: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/activities/boating/. For Washington residents, go to https://parks.wa.gov/about/rules-and-safety/boater-education-safety/boater-education-card.
The data in the Coast Guard’s 2023 report is based on incidents that resulted in at least one of the following criteria: death, disappearance, an injury that required medical treatment beyond first aid, damages to the vessel(s) or other property that equaled or exceeded $2,000, or the vessel is destroyed.
Federal law requires all incidents to be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard. If a person dies within 24 hours, is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid, or disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury, the reporting timeline is within 48 hours. More information can be found HERE.
For more information on safe boating, visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating website HERE.
