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Florida Boating Accident Statistics
2007 Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report
Below is a summary from the FloridaConservation.org website for boating accident statistics in Florida during 2007
Boating Accident Review
- Total number of registered vessels in Florida continues to grow with 1,027,043 registered in 2007. (2,668 above 2006 records).
- The reporting threshold for property damage accidents was increased from the previous figure of $500 to the current figure of $2,000 to compensate for the rise in the repair costs over the years.
- There were 668 total reportable boating accidents in 2007.
2007 Reportable Boating Accidents
- 70% of the Operators involved in reportable boating accidents had no
formal boater education. - Monroe County reported the highest number of accidents and injuries
(74 total accidents with 4 fatalities and 35 injuries).
2007 Reportable Boating Fatalities
In 2007, boaters falling overboard was the main cause of boating fatalities. This trend, although preventable, continues to grow.
- 38% of the fatal accidents were falls overboard (25 accidents with 26
victims) - 56% of the fatal accidents were in vessels less then 17 feet in length.
- The leading cause of death in fatal boating accidents was drowning (55%).
- The deadliest month in 2007 was March with 12 fatalities. May and June
followed, with 9 each. - 48% of the fatal accidents occurred between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- 22% of the boating fatalities were caused by alcohol or drug use.
- 90% of the victims of fatal boating accidents were males (69).
- The total fatality count for 2007 is reported as 77. This reflects two missing
people reports with circumstances that may indicate the likelihood of death
or serious bodily injury. - 6 of the 77 fatalities are defined as commercial accidents.
2007 Reportable Boating Injuries
- There were 376 reported injuries in 2007 involving 949 vessels and 14
swimmers. The rate of injury was .56 per accident.
2007 Reportable Personal Watercraft Accidents
- Personal watercraft (PWC) account for 13.2% of all registered vessels in Florida (98% privately owned, 2% rentals).
- PWC were involved in 24% (161) of reported boating accidents.
- 49% of PWC accidents involved a collision with another vessel.
- 21% of total boating fatality victims were on a PWC.
- Over 35% of PWC accidents occurred in Miami-Dade, Monroe and
Pinellas Counties, with Miami-Dade ranked as number #1 (with 21 accidents).
2007 Boating Education Statistics
- FWC issued 23,149 Boater Education ID cards in 2007.
- 54.3% of the cards were issued to persons 21 years of age or younger.
The complete 2007 Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report is available on-line through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website at www.MyFWC/boating.com
