Posted by Yiddil on 08/18/09 - 9:34 AM
#1
From the US COast Guard "Wear It' Program...
"The U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday the publication of the 2008 boating safety statistics, reporting a rise in recreational boating fatalities.
The fatality rate, a measure of the number of deaths against the number of registered recreational boats, increased from 5.3 in 2007 to 5.6 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational boats in 2008. During this time, the Coast Guard recorded 709 deaths, 3,331 injuries and approximately $54 million dollars in damage to property, stemming from 4,789 recreational boating accidents.
Operator inattention, careless or reckless operation, no proper lookout, operator inexperience and passenger or skier behavior rank as the top five contributing factors to recreational boating accidents.
Alcohol consumption continues to be of major concern in fatal boating accidents and is listed as the leading contributing factor in 17 percent of the deaths."
"Routine and consistent life jacket wear should be a part of all water activities. You can make a difference by choosing life jacket wear as the ”Number One Safety Measure” in the event of a boating accident."
Hope that opens some eyes up...
Don't become one of these statistics....
Henry
Posted by moose on 08/18/09 - 12:49 PM
#3
I read many years ago that a fair percentage of male drowning victims were recovered with their pants unzipped. Be careful when you gotta go!