The safety story this data tells
Ranked by what actually goes wrong here
These are ordered by Choctawhatchee Bay's own events and the circumstances that recur in its incident narratives, starting with the one the data says matters most. They map to what the Recademics Florida course teaches.
The strongest signal here
Keep people in the boat
23% of the reports here (39 accidents) involve someone going overboard, being ejected, or falling inside the boat. Seat everyone below planing speed, kill the engine before anyone moves to the gunwale, and clip on the cut-off lanyard.
From the incident reports
Brief every first-timer before the dock lines come off
23% of the reports here (39 accidents, 3.7x the statewide rate) involve rental or livery boats, where the operator is often new to this water. If you are renting, take the full safety briefing and ask where the shoals and no-wake zones are before you start.
From the incident reports
Treat the PWC like the boat it is
39% of the reports here (64 accidents, 2.3x the statewide rate) involve personal watercraft, and most PWC crashes come from steering off the throttle or following too close. Remember you cannot steer without throttle, leave room, and wear the cut-off lanyard.
From the incident reports
Own your wake
20% of the reports here (33 accidents, 1.6x the statewide rate) involve wake. You are responsible for the damage and injury your wake causes. Drop to idle in no-wake zones and near moored boats, and brace passengers when another boat's wake rolls through.
From the incident reports
Wear the life jacket
Drowning accounts for 16 of the deaths recorded here, and 69% of those victims were not wearing a life jacket. A life jacket only works worn. Florida requires every child under 6 to wear one on a vessel under 26 feet underway, and one wearable PFD for every person aboard.
