Most Common Causes of On-water Incidents or Fatalities

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”