The safety story this data tells
Ranked by what actually goes wrong here
These are ordered by Santa Rosa Sound'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
32% of the reports here (26 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
15% of the reports here (12 accidents, 2.3x 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
28% of the reports here (23 accidents, 1.6x 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
Post a dedicated lookout
43% of accidents (collision with recreational vessel) are collisions with another boat, the most preventable category. One person cannot both drive and watch on busy water. Assign a lookout, keep right, and slow where traffic converges.
From the incident reports
Wear the life jacket
Drowning accounts for 5 of the deaths recorded here, and 100% 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.
