Page 12: of Marine News Magazine (October 2019)

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BY THE NUMBERS lacking. Perhaps the most recent safety numbers means Since 2001 – the high water mark for registered do- that they are making progress. Let’s hope so. mestic recreational hulls – the number of boating deaths

As it continually addresses the issue of boating safety, the has decreased about 7% on an annual basis. But, then,

Coast Guard’s Mission and Strategic Plan (2017-2021) of the hull count is also down 8% during that same time the National Recreational Boating Safety Program (RBS) frame. Are we any safer? You make the call.

is “to ensure the public has a safe, secure, and enjoyable

InjuriesDeathsAccidents (*)Number of Hulls recreational boating experience by implementing pro- 2001 (High Year) 4,2746816,41912,876,346 grams that minimize the loss of life, personal injury, and 2018 (present #’s) 2,5116334,14511,852,969 property damage while cooperating with environmental

Difference (change) (1,763)(48)(2,274)(1,023,377) and national security efforts.” The Plan can be viewed at:

PCT Change -41%-7%-35% -8% www.uscgboating.org/content/strategic-plan.php (*) In 2001, a rule change increased the threshold of when an accident needs to be reported, and when it does not. Source: U.S. Coast Guard

Is the recreational waterfront getting safer? Depends on how you look at it. Even one injury, death and/or accident What’s all this got to do with me, professional mariners is too many. But, the linear numbers say that safety is in- (might) ask? For starters, the typical U.S. workboat opera- creasing, faster than the number of domestic recreational tor will be navigating (often) in close proximity to these hulls is declining. That analysis comes with caveats, how- almost 12 million recreational hulls. But, if you need fur- ever, because (*) on July 2, 2001, the Federal threshold ther incentive, the root (Top Five) causes of most recre- of property damage changed from $500 to $2,000. That ational accidents include operator inattention, improper means that the need to report a ‘fender bender’ became a lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure, and little less stringent, in terms of dollar amounts. That said; excessive speed. Alcohol use follows closely in sixth place. the USCG rule change was largely a function of recogniz- And, those are six very good reasons to sharpen your ing in