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Finally, at what time of day (or night) and during what time of year, accidents occur is also an interesting read. The time of most accidents is, perhaps, predictable but the gap in the data is also breathtaking. For example, in more than 40 percent of the cases tracked, the Coast Guard simply does not know what time it occurred. That?s not their fault. The reporting from recreational boaters is ? let?s just say it right out loud ? less than stellar. But, the fact that 63 percen t of accidents that involve fatalities occur between midnight and 6:30 AM should be no surprise to anyone, much less commercial mariners themselves. And those hot summer nights? Alcohol and fatigue, unfortunately, mix quite well. Accident Reporting as speci ed by Federal Law Under federal regulations (33 CFR Part 173; Subpart C ? Casualty and Accident Reporting) requires the operator of any numbered vessel that was not required to be inspected or a vessel that was operated for recreational purposes is required to  le a Boating Accident Report (BAR) when, as a result of an occurrence that involves the vessel or its equipment. What?s the takeaway for commercial, professional workboat mariners and their employers? Operating in close proximity of these recreational boaters, your level of education, training and caution may ultimately not be enough. For the Coast Guard and the general public itself ? and notwithstanding the measurable improvements seen to date ? more needs to be done to educate and yes, cer- ti cate the boating public who, in former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant ADM Thad Allen?s own words, think that the right to drive a boat is an entitlement, not a privilege. Beyond this, the causations, the most frequent dates and times of these accidents correlate, like it or not, directly to commercial world. The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to boat responsibly while on the water: wear a life jacket, take a boating safety course, get a free vessel safety check and avoid alcohol consump- tion. To view the 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/ statistics/accident_statistics.aspx. For more information on boating responsibly, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/.Rank / StateAccidentsDeaths Injuries# Boats (Rank)Damages (rank) Florida662 (1)50398870,031 (1)$6.8 million (1) Texas 147 (4) 21 99580,064 (6)$705,891 New York 197 (3) 27 127 463,539 (8)$4.8 million (2) North Carolina 145 (T 6)2397 391,711 (9)$724,555 Maryland 145 (T 6)13 123 185,626 (20)$949,202 Tennessee 147 (5) 21 99259,632 (13)$2.2 million (4) Louisiana116 (8) 2584 305,081 (11)$739,461 California365 (2)49249 776,584 (4)$3.5 million (3) TOTALS 4,5556513,00012,101,939$38,011,601 MonthAccidents (rank)Fatalities (rank)Accidents Involving fatalities ? by time (%) 1July1,079124Unknown (43%) 2June753108 02:31 ? 04:30 AM (24%) 3August 6898812:00 ? 02:30 AM (21%) 4May 5937304:31 ? 06:30 AM (18%) 5September 3986208:31 ? 10:30 PM (17%) Totals12 months4,515 651 Where do accidents occur? : Selected Hot Spots When Do Accidents Occur? MN 7www.marinelink.com MN June2013 Layout 1-17.indd 7MN June2013 Layout 1-17.indd 75/30/2013 11:03:56 AM5/30/2013 11:03:56 AM