Boating Accidents Can Be Deadly

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) officials say boating accidents occur more frequently than what the statistics indicate. Wardens believe that the 20 to 40 boating accidents reported each year represent only about 10 percent of all reportable boating accidents in Montana. The 20 to 40 reported accidents include motorized, non-motorized and personal water craft (jet skis) accidents.

A boating accident must be reported if it involves the death or disappearance of someone, injury requiring first aid, or property damage of $100 or more. According to FWP officials there have been 47 boating fatalities in the past seven years. About 60 percent of the fatalities involve men.

By far the most common types of boating accidents that occur in Montana are collision with another vessel, capsizing, collision with fixed or floating objects and falling overboard.

Contributing factors to boating accidents include operator inattention, operator inexperience, hazardous water and excessive speed. Alcohol was involved in 12 of the accidents.

The most important thing you can do when you are in a boat is wear a personal flotation device or life jacket. Of the 47 fatalities in the past seven years, 27 were not wearing life jackets; many of these tragedies may have been prevented.

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