Boater safety

The U.S. Coast Guard reports in 2010 there were 4,604 recreational boating accidents that involved 672 deaths, 3,153 injuries and approximately $35.5 million dollars of damage to property.
...United States Coast Guard, Recreational Boating Statistics, 2010

Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol rank as the top five primary contributing factors in these accidents. Alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Additionally, almost three-fourths of all fatal boating incident victims drowned, and of those, 88% of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket.

In 2010, there were 72 recreational boating accidents counted in Washington by the U.S. Coast Guard resulting in 18 deaths and 41 injured people and damages over $537,900. There were 237,921 registered motorboats in the state that year, an 11.8% reduction from 2009.

A majority of boating incidents that resulted in drowning deaths or near drownings involved boaters without boater safety education. The Washington State law (RCW 79A.60.640) requires that operators of motorboats with 15 horsepower or greater take a boater education class and obtain a boater education card. This can be done in a classroom, online or at home.

• Those born before 1955 are exempt from this requirement (in Washington only - you will need to get a card if you boat in Canada or Oregon)
• The date in which you will need your boater card depends on your age.

For more information, visit the Washington State Parks Mandatory Boat Education website.

In 2010, 88% of people who drowned from recreational boating incidents in the U.S. were not wearing a lifejacket or other type of personal floatation device (PFD).

Washington State law (RCW 79A.60.160) requires children ages 12 years and younger to wear a Coast Guard approved lifejacket or vest on vessels less than 19 feet long.

Download the U.S. Coast Guard's How to Choose the Right Life Jacket guide (PDF)

Find local lifejacket distribution resources and events on our Water safety resources and activities page.

Alcohol use is the primary contributing factor in fatal recreational boating accidents in the U.S. In 2010, 154 people died and 344 people were seriously injured from alcohol-related boating incidents.
...United States Coast Guard, Recreational Boating Statistics, 2010

From 2006 to 2010, 32 people died in Washington and an additional 54 people were seriously injured from alcohol-related recreational boating accidents.
...United States Coast Guard, Recreational Boating Statistics, 2010

In Washington, boating under the influence (BUI) of drugs or alcohol or boating recklessly is against the law (RCW 79A.60.040). A person is considered under the influence if he or she is affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug, under the combined influence of liquors and drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or above.

BUI is a misdemeanor in Washington and if convicted you can face up to 90 days in jail, up to $1000 in fines, plus the cost of boat impound and legal fees, and you may face a civil hearing with the U.S. Coast Guard. Beyond legal costs, BUI can hurt you, your passengers, and others on the water. Please designate a sober driver on and off the water!

Boater safety resources

• Known hazards in King County rivers
  General information on known logjams and other hazards on King County rivers.
  
  
• Boating Safety Resource Center: U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division
  This is a helpful resource for improving your knowledge and skills regarding boating regulations and safety.
  
  
• National Safe Boating Council
  The council was founded in 1958 and provides boat safety education and resources including safety sites for kids.
  
  
• Recreational Boating Statistics 2010: U.S. Coast Guard (PDF)
  This report provides national boating injury and death data for 2010.
  
  
• Washington State Parks Boating Program
  Provides boater card requirement details, boat collision accident reporting requirements, and safety guidelines.
  
  
• Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office
  Provides comprehensive information for boating needs including regulations, education, and moorage information.