Recreational Boating: The Facts

Number of Water Crafts:

• The State of Massachusetts has over 138,800 registered motorboats.  That number does not not include:
  • Sail Boats
  • Personal Water Craft (jet ski's, wave runners)
  • Kayaks, Canoes, Rowboats or other Self-Propelled Boats
  • House Boats
  • Inflatables

Causes of Accident:

• Boating Accidents are reported and documented each time more than first aid care is required, the accident is a result of boating collisions and not off boat / swimming related, or if there is more than 500 dollars worth of property damage.  The most common causes of boating accidents are as follows:
  • Operator Inattention
  • Operator Inexperience
  • Careless/Reckless Operation
  • Excessive Speed
  • No Proper Lookout
  • Alcohol

Most Common Injuries While Boating:

• Due to the wide variety of activities one can engage in for entertainment while boating, there is also a wide range of injuries that one can sustain; however, almost all of these injuries could have been prevented had the operator been paying proper attention while using the vehicle.  The most common injuries include:
  • Laceration
  • Broken Bones
  • Contusion
  • Head Injury
  • Back Injury
  • Hypothermia

Most Common Fatalties While Boating:

• As one can see from the injuries most commonly sustained in a boating accident, in the event of a collision, the repercussions may be devastating and help is not always readily available.  Provided below is a list of the most common causes of fatalities while boating:
  • Drowning
    • Drowning is by far the most common cause of fatality, eclipsing other causes of fatalities by 10 or even 20 times.  If a rider is not wearing a personal flotation device, or if insufficient flotation devices are provided, they will be 6 times more likely to drown.
  • Trauma
  • Hypothermia

Boating Accidents / Boating Injury Boston

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Free Boating Accidents Recreational Boating Consultation

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