Boating deaths in Florida up 24 percent

[LuckyLady]

Boating deaths in Florida up 24 percent

Posted on December 16, 2010

There have been 76 boating fatalities in Florida this year, a 24 percent increase from 2009, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.


Although the FWC patrols Florida's waterways and strongly promotes boating safety year-round, this year's higher number of fatalities prompted an increased emphasis on prevention. At least 41 of the 76 deaths were due to drowning, the agency reports.

"The most unfortunate part about these statistics is boating fatalities are usually preventable," said Capt. Tom Shipp, of the FWC's Boating and Waterways Section, in a statement. "One of the best ways to prevent a drowning is simply to wear a life jacket. Boaters don't always expect to find themselves in the water, but if they do, a life jacket can save a life."

Although a few unusual accidents have occurred this year, the majority are similar to those of recent years. They involve boaters failing to pay attention to their surroundings, neglecting to wear life jackets and operating at a high speed.

[hubris 1]

Imagine if we all got personal aircraft? Just a little.... easy to fly, one man aircraft. Alot more are killed in cars.

[Big Fish Billy]

Imagine if we all had hot air balloons....and somebody popped them.....it would be a long way down...........

[seapower]

In life that's worth doing (imo) involve's some risk. I tell everyone that fishes with me, when we go through the inlet. "you've just entered the food chain". The ocean never was and never will be a "safe" place, not willing to accept that, stay on the dock. I've retrieved and helped to retrieve many, (except for children) they knew what "could" happen. I know it sound's harsh, Mother Ocean alway's win's. It is what it is. That's alway's been one of the biggest draw's for me over the last 40 year's. Frank

[hubris 1]

"You have just entered the food chain" I watched a show about tribes in Africa on TV and like, 100 people are killed each year in Africa.....attacked by lions, and becoming part of the food chain. Good one frank, Every endeavor has its food chain. Even the society of living in New York City. There are predator deaths every day there too.

[N2theBlue]

The main reason is new people moving to florida and buying a boat once they get there. Florida has the most boaters per capita of anyother state, and most of them have no idea what they are doing. They should have to have a license just like a car.

Hubris, they'd have to have a license to operate those little planes.

[hubris 1]

Then you need to see the guy that flies his own aircraft over my home in Cape May every summer. Ill bet he doesnt have a license to fly it.