By Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager

On Friday, May 24, 2024, the United States Coast Guard released its annual Recreational Boating Statistics report for 2023, marking the 65th edition of this comprehensive analysis. This report is a vital resource for understanding the current state of recreational boating in the United States, providing detailed insights into accident statistics, casualty reporting and vessel registration.

Overall, 2023 represented a decrease in both the number of accidents and fatalities, resulting in 564 total boating fatalities, the lowest number of fatalities since 2013, which reported 560. Here, we will break down the key findings and what they mean for the recreational boating community while highlighting the crucial role that recreational boating safety plays in supporting the growth of our industry.

The 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics report reveals trends that highlight both progress and areas needing improvement in recreational boating safety. The Coast Guard, along with state and territorial partners, compiled and analyzed this data to offer a clear picture of boating activities and safety outcomes over the past year.

• Accident Statistics and Causes:
  • In 2023, there were 3,844 boating accidents, resulting in 564 deaths and 2,126 injuries as well as $63 million in property damage. This represents a slight decrease of 4.9% in accidents and 11.3% in fatalities compared to 2022.
  • The leading causes of boating accidents continue to be operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, and excessive speed. Alcohol use remains the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, accounting for 17% of deaths.
• Life Jacket Usage and Drowning:
  • Detailed casualty reporting has shown that drowning was the cause of death in 75% of all fatalities, with 87% of those victims not wearing a life jacket. This drives home the importance of the National Safe Boating Council’s “Wear It” campaign to promote the use of life jackets.
• Importance of Boater Education
  • Where instruction was known, 75% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Only 15% percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally-approved boating safety education certificate.

MRAA’s Efforts to Support Recreational Boating Safety
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), we are not only committed to ensuring marine dealers have the tools to improve and bolster their business, we are also dedicated to enhancing the safety and enjoyment of recreational boating. Our initiatives focus on education, safety advocacy, and collaboration with industry partners to promote best practices and safety standards. We know that a safe and competent boater is a confident boater who gets more out of boating, goes boating more often, and will more likely remain a lifelong boater than an unsafe boater.

The MRAA actively engages with policymakers and regulatory bodies to advocate for laws and regulations that enhance boating safety. This includes supporting common-sense boating safety policies like mandatory boater education, and best-practices for various recreational boating activities like wake-surfing and water-skiing. The MRAA government relations team works tirelessly to ensure that the interests of the marine retailer’s community are represented in these discussions. To learn about our efforts to make boating safer in Arizona this year, click here.

Furthermore, the MRAA collaborates with industry stakeholders to launch safety campaigns aimed at raising awareness about key safety issues. Our campaigns focus on promoting sober boating, life jacket usage, and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. One of our key partnerships is with the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), a coalition dedicated to promoting safe and enjoyable boating through education, outreach, and training. Just last year, Government Relations Manager Chad Tokowicz was appointed to the NSBC Board of Directors. Together, the MRAA and NSBC work on various initiatives, including:

• Wear It Campaign: This campaign promotes the use of life jackets by highlighting their importance and encouraging boaters to wear them at all times while on the water.
• National Safe Boating Week: An annual event that kicks off the boating season with a focus on safety tips, education, and awareness activities. The MRAA supports this initiative by distributing materials and promoting events through our network.

Lastly, the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) is another opportunity for the MRAA to focus on the importance of recreational boating safety. This summit brings together boating and water safety professionals from around the world to share knowledge, best practices, and advancements in safety protocols. Our involvement includes:

• Workshops and Presentations: MRAA representatives participate in and lead various workshops and presentations, sharing insights on industry trends, safety innovations, and effective educational strategies.
• Networking and Collaboration: The summit provides an opportunity for us to network with other safety advocates, researchers, and industry leaders, fostering collaborations that enhance our collective efforts in promoting boating safety.

For a more comprehensive overview of our involvement at the IBWSS 2024, click here.

The 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics report is a crucial document for all stakeholders in the boating community, from policymakers and safety advocates to boat owners and operators. While the report shows some positive trends, such as a reduction in the fatality rate, it also highlights ongoing challenges, particularly in the areas of operator behavior and life jacket usage. It is imperative that everyone in the recreational boating industry understand that it is our duty to do what we can to keep others safe while on the water. No effort to inspire safe boating practices is too small, as we will ultimately improve safe recreational boating not with a silver bullet, but with silver buckshot.

By continuing to prioritize safety education and awareness, and through the combined efforts of organizations like the MRAA, the Coast Guard, and our partners like the National Safe Boating Council, we can work towards making recreational boating a safer and more enjoyable activity for everyone.

For more detailed information and to access the full report, visit the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division website. Should you have any questions, or want ideas on how you can be a champion for safe boating safety at your business, reach out to Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, Chad@mraa.com.