• 2024 United States Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics Report Overview

By Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the United States Coast Guard released its annual Recreational Boating Statistics report for 2024, marking the 66th 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, 2024 saw a significant decrease in both the number of accidents and fatalities with the new report recording the fewest boating fatalities since the Coast Guard began collecting statistics more than 50 years ago. Fatalities fell 1.4% to 556 from 564 in 2023, while overall incidents increased by 1.1% from 3,844 to 3,887. Nonfatal injuries rose 2.1% from 2,126 to 2,170. Alcohol remained to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2024, accounting for 92 deaths or 20% of total fatalities.

Here, we break down the key findings and what they mean for the recreational boating community. We also highlight the crucial role that recreational boating safety plays in supporting the growth of our industry.

Key Findings from 2024 Report

The 2024 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 2024, there were 3,887 boating accidents, resulting in 556 deaths and 2,170 injuries and approximately $88 million in property damage. Compared to 2023, the number of incidents increased 1.1%, the number of deaths decreased 1.4%, and the number of injuries increased 2.1%.
• The leading causes of boating incidents continue to be operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure and navigation rules. They ranked as the top five primary contributing factor in incidents. Alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents. Where the primary cause was known, it was listed as the leading factor in 20% of deaths.

Life Jacket Usage and Drowning:

• Detailed casualty reports showed that drowning was the cause of death in 76% of all fatalities. Of those victims, 87% were not wearing a life jacket. This drives home the importance of the National Safe Boating Council’s “Wear It” campaign to promote life jacket use.

Importance of Boater Education

• Where instruction was known, 69% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Only 19% of deaths occurred on vessels operated by individuals with 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 believe a safe competent boater is a confident boater. Someone who enjoys boating more often and is more likely to remain a lifelong boater. That’s why the MRAA actively engages with policymakers and regulatory bodies to advocate for laws and regulations that strengthen 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 the marine retailer community is represented in these important discussions. Earlier in 2025, the MRAA celebrated as the Hanson-Milone Act was signed into law in Massachusetts, establishing a mandatory boater education program. To learn more about our involvement and the specifics of the bill, click here.  

Furthermore, we also 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 emergency preparedness. One of our key partnerships is with the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), where MRAA’s Chad Tokowicz serves on the NSBC Board of Directors. Together, we support 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.

International Collaboration for Safer Waters

Lastly, the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) is another opportunity for the MRAA to advance recreational boating safety. This summit unites 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

• Our team participates in and leads sessions sharing insights into safety innovations, educational strategies and industry trends.

Networking and Collaboration

• The summit allows us to network with other safety advocates, researchers and industry leaders to strengthen our shared mission.

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

Final Thought

The 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics report is a crucial resource for all stakeholders in the boating community — from policymakers and safety advocates to boat owners and operators. Moreover, while the report showcases some encouraging trends such as a decrease in fatalities, it also reminds us of persistent challenges — particularly in the areas of operator behavior and life jacket usage.

It is our collective responsibility within the recreational boating industry to prioritize safety on the water. No effort it too small. Progress will not come from a silver bullet, but with silver buckshot. To clarify, many small, consistent actions will lead to a safer boating environment.

By continuing to prioritize safety education and awareness — by working together through organizations like the MRAA, the Coast Guard and our partners like the National Safe Boating Council — we can work to make recreational boating safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Next Steps?

• For more detailed information and to read the full report, visit the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division website.
• Have any questions, or want ideas on how to promote boating safety at your business? reach out to Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, Chad@mraa.com.