In 2000, boating incidents accounted for one-third of the water-related deaths in Canada (147 out of a total of 472).
Most of the boating incidents occurred during recreational activities such as fishing or power boating – 78%.
Failure to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) or lifejackets remains one of the largest contributing factors associated with these boating deaths.
During 1996-2000, 643 of the 888 boating victims were not wearing PFDs or lifejackets and one-third of the victims did not even have a PFD in their boat.
The table below illustrates some of the other most common causes of on-water incidents or fatalities between 1996 – 2000.
CAUSES | TOTALS | % |
Persons overboard | 222 | 25 |
Capsized | 332 | 37 |
Swamped | 113 | 13 |
Collisions | 80 | 9 |
Alcohol and drug-related boat operation | 337 | 38 |
Without a doubt, the most common causes of boating accidents include: not wearing a personal flotation device (pfd)/lifejacket; falling overboard; capsizing/collisions; & operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. Generally speaking, these causes can be prevented by education and training. Also, wear a pfd/lifejacket at all times when you are on board – stay in the boat – distribute the weight evenly – hold on to rigid parts of the boat and do not operate the vessel while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.
“Take the training and educate yourself”
Most of the boating incidents occurred during recreational activities such as fishing or power boating – 78%.
Failure to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) or lifejackets remains one of the largest contributing factors associated with these boating deaths.
During 1996-2000, 643 of the 888 boating victims were not wearing PFDs or lifejackets and one-third of the victims did not even have a PFD in their boat.
The table below illustrates some of the other most common causes of on-water incidents or fatalities between 1996 – 2000.
CAUSES | TOTALS | % |
Persons overboard | 222 | 25 |
Capsized | 332 | 37 |
Swamped | 113 | 13 |
Collisions | 80 | 9 |
Alcohol and drug-related boat operation | 337 | 38 |
Without a doubt, the most common causes of boating accidents include: not wearing a personal flotation device (pfd)/lifejacket; falling overboard; capsizing/collisions; & operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. Generally speaking, these causes can be prevented by education and training. Also, wear a pfd/lifejacket at all times when you are on board – stay in the boat – distribute the weight evenly – hold on to rigid parts of the boat and do not operate the vessel while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.
“Take the training and educate yourself”