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Boating Safety

April 20th, 2007
US Coast Guard Resources

Regulations
The 13 million boats registered in 2003 represent two million more registered boats on America’s waterways than 12 years ago. – USCG

Federal and state government agencies have numerous statutes designed to protect life and property on the nation's waterways. Here's an easy way that you — as an owner, operator, or manufacturer — can access the laws and regulations you need to know.

Safety
Each year hundreds of lives are lost... thousands are injured... and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often pleasure outings turn tragic. You — as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual — can make a difference.

Keep the following onboard every vessel:
  • Small first aid kit
  • Signaling device (whistle, flair kit, etc.)
  • Flashlight (waterproof)
  • A throwable flotation device
  • 20-foot tow rope
US Coast Guard Online Vessel Safety Check

National Safe Boating Council

Boating Safety Courses
One-day classes, for a fee, are available statewide through private providers. There are a number of approved out-of-state basic boating courses that may qualify you for an SBC (Safe Boating Certificate)or CPWO (Certificate of Personal Water Craft). Call the Boating Division at (860) 434-8638 for details.

Most community colleges in Connecticut are now offering the DEP eight-hour combined basic boating and personal watercraft course. The DEP, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the United States Power Squadrons course lists are available through the DEP website.

Connecticut Community Colleges

One-day Courses
Boating safety checklist
Download this checklist in the Resource Library below to make sure that your boating season is safe and fun for everyone.

Statistics
The 5,438 boating accidents reported in 2003 resulted in 703 fatalities, 3,888 injuries, and $40,422,374 in property damage. – USCG

The U.S. Coast Guard maintains detailed statistics on all reported recreational boating safety accidents and incidents throughout the United States and its territories. Access published reports here.

US Coast Guard Boating Statistics 2005
  • In 2005, States and jurisdictions reported a total of 12,942,414 registered recreational boats. The 4,969 boating accidents reported in 2005 resulted in 697 fatalities, 3,451 injuries, and $38,721,088 in property damage.
  • Approximately 70% of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of the victims who drowned were not wearing their personal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket).
  • Approximately 426 lives could have been saved last year if boaters had worn their lifejackets.
  • The most reported type of accident was a collision with another vessel.
  • Capsizing and falls overboard accounted for the vast majority (59%) of all boating fatalities.
  • Boat operators need to pay attention to the capacity label on their boat and be careful not to overload small boats (less than 16 feet) with passengers and/or gear.
  • Reckless operation, operator inattention, excessive speed and operator inexperience are the leading contributing factors to all reported accidents.
  • The most common types of boats involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (45%), personal watercraft (PWC) (26%) and cabin motorboats (14%).
  • The number of reported non-fatal injuries (1,007) involving PWC use increased for the first time since 1996.
  • Twenty-one (21) children age 12 and under lost their lives while boating.
  • Approximately 70% of all reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.
  • Alcohol use was either a direct or indirect contributing factor in approximately one-quarter of all boating fatalities.


Resource Library:

Basic Boater Certification Course

April 20th, 2007
Trantolo & Trantolo offers a One-day Basic Boater Certification Course. The course covers boating and jet-ski basics, costs $15, and will take place in Westbrook (location to be determined), June 16, 2007 from 9 am to 5 pm. To register, or for more information, call Joe Kowalski, 1-888-TRANTOLO.

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