Faulty Equiptment and Operator inexperience take top spots

[dingbat]

Here is the 2008 report on boating accidents in Maryland published by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Faulty equipment (13%) and Operator inexperience (12%) are citied as the leading causes of accidents accounting for 25% of all accidents. Accidents caused by wakes (10%), weather (9%) and excess speed (9%) round out the top five.

Surprisingly, alcohol was citied the least of all activities.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp/download/BoatAccidentStats2008.pdf

 

[45Auto]

Re: Faulty Equiptment and Operator inexperience take top spots

Alchohol was only cited for 3% of the accidents, but was responsible for 33% (3 out of 9) of the fatalities.

I'm not surprised at the low percentage of accidents attributed to alchohol. Most people won't report that they were drunk when they had an accident. Only way it shows up is if the accident is bad enough that the cops are called to the scene.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Faulty Equiptment and Operator inexperience take top spots

Alchohol may be indirectly involved, for example, prevention may be overlooked in the "faulty equipment" incident, or inexperience is exacerbated by alchohol, even below impairment but at the "too relaxed/too confident" level.

Other stats show a large percentage of fatalities could be prevented by PFD use. Obviously PFD use doesn't "cause" an incident/accident so that factor won't appear in your cited study.
Hyperthermia is a major cause of death but again seldom "causes" the accident. I say "seldom" because it can adversely affect judgment and skills even on a dry person, which then leads to an otherwise preventable event. It's where many of the "stupid human tricks" come from, like driving off with the anchor down.

 

[JB]

Re: Faulty Equiptment and Operator inexperience take top spots

I wonder who reports the "reportable" incidents and how the causes, etc. are determined.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Faulty Equiptment and Operator inexperience take top spots

Federal law states that if you are involved in a boating accident that includes injury requiring medical treatment, death, disappearance of a person, or property damage of at least $2000, you are required to file an accident report with the responsible local law enforcement agency. Additionally, you are required to file an accident report with the state boating authority.

I would imagine most states have their own requirements, only one I'm familiar with is Louisiana:

Louisiana Law:

The operator/owner of a vessel used for recreational purposes is required to file a report in writing whenever an accident results in: loss of life or disappearance from a vessel; an injury which requires medical treatment beyond first aid; or property damage in excess of $500.00 or complete loss of the vessel.

Reports in death and injury cases must be submitted within 48 hours.

Reports in other cases must be submitted within 5 days.

Reports must be submitted to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Marine Investigations Section, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70898-9000.

That's why I said in my earlier post that the alchohol influence was so low, because not many people are stupid enough to report that they were drunk when they file the accident report. Only way alchohol use comes out is if it's bad enough that the authorities are called to the scene.