For more information, contact Sgt. Greg Rhodes, Fish & Wildlife Enforcement, 302-739-9913 or 302-542-6102, or Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC’s Boating Safety Office encourages boaters to
help keep Delaware’s waters among safest in the country

DOVER (May 20, 2011) – With the traditional Memorial Day weekend launch of summer fast approaching, many Delaware boaters will also soon be putting in for the first time this year. From tomorrow’s start of National Safe Boating Week (May 21-27) and extending throughout the boating season, DNREC’s Office of Boating Safety encourages anyone aboard to help keep Delaware’s waters among the safest for boating in the United States.

“Delaware consistently has one of the lowest boating accident rates in the country. Last year, we had two boating-related fatalities and 21 reportable boating accidents. That’s good – but we’d still like to see those numbers go down,” said Sgt. Greg Rhodes, DNREC’s Boating Safety officer and boating education specialist. “Though some accidents are unavoidable, we need everyone on our waterways to be alert, use common sense and avoid actions that will put themselves, their passengers and other boaters at risk.” Thus far this year in Delaware, three boating accidents have been reported, with no fatalities, he said.

Recent statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard show the top five primary contributing factors for boating accidents are operator inattention, operator inexperience, excessive speed, improper lookout, and alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents and was listed as the leading factor in 16 percent of the 736 boating-related fatalities reported nationwide in 2009, the most recent year for which Coast Guard statistics are available.

“Drinking while boating is a choice. The best way to minimize the risk of an accident is to make the wise choice – don’t drink and boat,” said Sgt. Rhodes, noting that boaters should plan ahead to have a non-drinking designated boat operator aboard if alcohol is being consumed.

While it is not illegal for recreational boat operators to consume alcohol, the same blood alcohol limit used to measure intoxication in automobile drivers applies to boat operators: 0.08 or above is legally intoxicated, Rhodes added, noting that boat operators found to be at or over the limit face fines and potential jail time, as well as putting themselves and their passengers at risk.

Statistics also support the vital role of wearing life jackets in keeping boaters safe. According to Coast Guard data, more than three-quarters of those killed in boating accidents in 2009 were drowning victims – and 84 percent of them were not wearing life jackets. In addition, capsizing and falling overboard were the most reported types of fatal accidents.

“Boating accidents can happen very fast – and there’s no time to reach for a stowed life jacket and put it on. Like seatbelts in automobiles, we know without question that life jackets save lives. Today’s life jackets are also more effective, more comfortable and even more fashionable than in the past, so there’s simply no reason not to use them,” Sgt. Rhodes said. “In addition, Delaware law requires that children age 12 and younger wear a life jacket while underway in any vessel on Delaware waters. Though life jackets are not legally required for adults, they should also wear them, especially those with limited swimming skills.”

Taking a boating safety course can also improve your skills and reduce the chances of an accident. Coast Guard statistics show that where instructional data was available, 85 percent of reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.

Delaware’s Office of Boating Safety provides volunteer instructors to private and non-profit organizations, schools, clubs and the public to educate boaters on skills and seamanship and to encourage them to be safe, knowledgeable and responsible. Courses are offered free of charge, including materials and educational aids.

Under Delaware law, all persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 must successfully complete a boating safety course in order to operate a boat in Delaware waters, including personal watercraft, Rhodes noted. “We recommend that everyone who is going to operate a boat in Delaware waters take a safety course first, regardless of their age,” he added.

In 2009, the number of recreational boating accidents reported nationwide decreased slightly, from 4,789 in 2008 to 4,730. However, the number of injuries and deaths increased slightly in 2009, with 3,358 injuries and 736 deaths, including 18 children under age 13, compared to 3,331 injuries and 709 deaths in 2008. Property damage decreased from $54 million to $36 million.

For more information on Delaware’s boating safety education courses, please visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Boating/BoatingSafety.htm or contact Sgt. Greg Rhodes at 302-739-9913 or email gregory.rhodes@state.de.us. 

The facts about boating safety
National Safe Boating Week May 21-27 

• Currently, more 70 million Americans enjoy boating, with nearly 13 million recreational vessels registered in the United States.
  
  
• In 2009, the most recent year for which U.S. Coast Guard statistics are available, 736 people died on our nation’s waterways. In Delaware last year, there were two fatalities and 21 reportable boating accidents, both figures down from 2009.
  
  
• Education is the key to our success. Since 1994, Delaware has required all persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 to take a boating safety class before they can operate a boat on our waters. DNREC offered 82 boating classes in 2010, both in basic and advanced boating safety, with the option of taking the courses online or in a classroom.
  
  
• Since 1991, Delaware has had a child personal floatation device law, requiring all children 12 and younger to wear a life jacket while underway in a vessel on Delaware waters. Not a single child has died on Delaware waters as a result of drowning without a life jacket in a boating accident since the inception of the law.
  
  
• In 1973, there were 1,754 boating fatalities nationwide. In 2005, 697 fatalities occurred with 12,942,414 registered boats, which equals to 5.4 fatalities per 100,000 registered boats.
  
  
• Despite the dramatic increase in boating participation, boating-related fatalities have decreased through the years. These decreases in fatalities are directly attributed to recreational boating safety programs. Coast Guard statistics show that 85 percent of boating accidents involved boat operators who had not received boating safety instruction.
  
  
• These boating safety programs, made possible through the Federal Boating Act of 1971 and the creation of the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund in 1984, are estimated to have saved more than 23,000 lives since 1971.
  
  
• Currently, 44 of the 50 states have a boating safety education requirement in place. Statistics show that the states with the longest history of boating education requirements also have the lowest average fatality rates in the country; the six states without the requirement have triple their fatality rates. Delaware’s Office of Boating Safety was created in 1972, and the state has one of the lowest boating accident rates in the country.
  
  
• “Boat Smart, Boat Safe and Wear It!” While enjoying Delaware’s beautiful natural resources, DNREC’s Boating Safety Office urges citizens to stay sober behind the helm, wear your life jacket and take a boating safety education course to ensure the safety of you and your family. 

Vol. 41, No. 197