Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
1999 BOATING ACCIDENT STATISTICAL REPORT
INTRODUCTION
The 1999 Boating Accident Statistical Report is compiled from "reportable boating accident" reports submitted by various investigating agencies. The reporting period for compiling this report was from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999.
The criteria for a "reportable boating accident" is one that involves at least $500 in damage, a death, missing person or an injury which requires treatment more than basic first aid (see definition section). Florida law requires the vessel operator involved in an accident to immediately report the incident to law enforcement. The investigating officer is required to file an accident report with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement's Boating Safety Section upon completion of the investigation.
The FWC Division of Law Enforcement's Boating Safety Section in Tallahassee reviews these reports and enters the data into the computer for tracking and statistical analysis. At the end of each year, this data is compiled and assembled into this report. This same accident information is reported to the United States Coast Guard and a national boating accident report is published consisting of data from all states and territories.
In the national report, comparing statistics from all the states, Florida leads the nation in accidents and deaths year after year. Our waterways are becoming more congested each year as more people move to the "Sunshine State" to enjoy our resources and climate. We must all strive to reduce these accidents and remove our "number one" reputation.
All figures for the enclosed charts and graphs were obtained directly from the boating accident reports as submitted by the investigating officer. This report must be taken into context and does not attempt to formulate a conclusion concerning accident trends. The charts labeled "Causes Assessed by Reviewing Authority" reflect the primary cause of the accident as determined by the Boating Safety Section pursuant to criteria approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the United States Coast Guard.
In 1999, we saw a decrease in the number of total fatalities with the lowest fatality rate in approximately 10 years. There was a 20% increase in the alcohol related fatalities over 1998. This year we are including a new section devoted to officer hours worked on boating accident investigations. In 1999, law enforcement officers spent 10,661 hours investigating boating accidents. In 1999, there was a 8% decrease in the number of people involved in accidents who were wearing PFDs.
There was a 6% decrease in the rental PWC accidents, and there was a 5% increase in the borrowed PWC accidents. There was a 33% drop in the number of operators with no instruction in the under 21 age group. Because education is mandatory at rental facilities and for young operators, it appears that mandatory education is beginning to have an impact on our accident statistics.
Any questions concerning this report should be directed to:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Division of Law Enforcement-Boating Safety Section
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Telephone: (850) 488-5600
Internet: http://www.state.fl.us/fwc