Boating Accident Statistics

All Data & Statistics are Sourced and Updated to the latest available data from the following sources:

  • U.S. Coast Guard
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service National Survey
  • National Marine Manufacturers Association Impact Study

Table of Statistics

Boating Statistics: Essential Data for Journalists & Researchers

The latest recreational boating statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard provide crucial insights into accident trends, fatalities, and contributing factors. Below, you'll find key takeaways and in-depth analysis to help inform your coverage.

Overview Boating Statistics (2023)

  • Total Accidents: 3,844
  • Fatalities: 564
  • Injuries: 2,126
  • Property Damage: $63 million
  • Fatality Rate: 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered vessels (9.3% decrease from 2022)
  • Most Common Fatality Cause: Drowning (75% of fatalities)
  • Most Dangerous Activity: Boating without a life jacket (87% of drowning victims were not wearing one)

Economic Impact of Boating in the U.S. (2023)

CategoryAmount
Total Economic Impact of Recreational Boating$230 billion
Jobs Supported by the Boating Industry812,000
Number of Marine Businesses36,000
Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2023 Economic Impact Study

Boating Participation in the U.S. (2022)

CategoryValue
Total U.S. Motorized Boaters (2021)47.3 million
Total U.S. Motorized Boaters (Age 6+)46.2 million
Percentage of U.S. Adults Who Participated in BoatingApproximately 18%
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2022 National Survey

Top Causes of Boating Accidents

CauseAccidentsFatalitiesInjuries
Operator Inattention58633323
Improper Lookout42130284
Operator Inexperience41444200
Excessive Speed29926214
Alcohol Use21179201

Accidents by Vessel Type

Vessel TypeAccidentsFatalities
Open Motorboats45%44%
Personal Watercraft19%8%
Kayaks--17%
Cabin Motorboats13%--

Boating Fatalities by Month

MonthFatal AccidentsTotal Deaths
January2730
February99
March3335
April3438
May5657
June6364
July110114
August7278
September4753
October4247
November2427
December1212

State-by-State Boating Fatality Rates

Explore detailed state-level data on boating fatalities and accident rates in our full report.

Boating Incidents Per Capita by State

StatePopulation (Millions)Number of IncidentsIncidents per Million
Florida22.272032.43
Alaska0.72231.43
Arkansas3.15818.71
Louisiana4.68518.48
South Carolina5.39417.74
Missouri6.29315.00
Michigan10.013213.20
North Carolina10.813412.41
Wisconsin5.97312.37
Texas30.32759.08
Ohio11.712110.34
New York19.81577.93
Pennsylvania12.9997.67
Illinois12.5987.84
Georgia11.011210.18
Virginia8.89110.34
California39.03408.72
Minnesota5.87613.10
Indiana6.8426.18
Oklahoma4.05614.00
Alabama5.18717.06
Tennessee7.110514.79
Colorado5.9274.58
Washington7.98410.63
Massachusetts7.0517.29
Maryland6.26610.65
Kentucky4.55913.11
Oregon4.34510.47
South Dakota0.977.78
Montana1.11210.91
New Jersey9.3606.45
West Virginia1.8168.89
New Mexico2.12110.00
Arizona7.5658.67
Nevada3.23310.31
North Dakota0.8911.25
Connecticut3.6195.28
Mississippi2.94816.55
Idaho2.02010.00
Rhode Island1.187.27
Delaware1.01111.00
New Hampshire1.4139.29
Hawaii1.41410.00
Vermont0.6610.00
Utah3.53911.14
Kansas2.93110.69
Nebraska1.9178.95
Wyoming0.646.67
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

Boating Fatalities by Age Group & Gender

Age GroupMale Fatalities (%)Female Fatalities (%)Total Fatalities (%)
0-175%2%7%
18-3525%5%30%
36-5020%5%25%
51-6518%3%21%
66+15%2%17%
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

Most Common Boating Accidents

Accident TypeNumber of IncidentsFatalities
Collision with Vessel95035
Collision with Fixed Object60040
Falls Overboard450210
Capsizing400150
Grounding35012
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

Alcohol & Drug-Related Boating Accidents

  • Alcohol-related fatalities: 79 deaths (17% of all boating deaths)
  • Alcohol was the leading factor in: 211 accidents
  • Boating under the influence (BUI) is involved in: 1 in 5 fatal crashes
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

Impact of Life Jacket Use on Fatalities

  • Percentage of drowning victims not wearing a life jacket: 87%
  • Percentage of fatal accidents where life jackets were available but not worn: 60%
  • Highest non-compliance: Open motorboats & kayaks
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

Boater Education & Accident Prevention

  • 75% of deaths occurred where the operator had no formal boating education.
  • Operators with no training are 5x more likely to be involved in an accident.
  • States requiring boating education see 20% fewer fatalities.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

Accidents by Time of Day & Weather

Time of DayAccidentsFatalities
Morning (6 AM - 12 PM)900150
Afternoon (12 PM - 6 PM)1600250
Evening (6 PM - Midnight)900120
Overnight (Midnight - 6 AM)25044
  • Bad weather was a factor in: 14% of all boating accidents.
  • Fog and rain increased accident rates by: 20% compared to clear conditions.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

Boating Accidents by Water Type

Water TypeAccidentsFatalities
Lakes1,500180
Rivers800120
Coastal Waters1,200250
Open Ocean30090
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

Boating Accidents Trend (Last 5 Years)

YearTotal AccidentsFatalitiesInjuries
20194,1686132,559
20204,5157673,191
20214,4396582,641
20224,0406362,222
20233,8445642,126
  • Fatalities have decreased by 26% since 2020.
  • Injuries have dropped by 33% since 2019.
  • Accidents have steadily declined due to improved safety education.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2023

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