Some sobering facts...
- About half of all boating accidents involve drugs or alcohol.
- The
U.S. Coast Guard estimates the number of non-fatal boating accidents to be
60,000 or higher with property damage well over $240 million annually.
- Each year- from 1961, when statistics were first kept, through 1992- boating accidents have claimed
over 800 lives, more than in airplane or train accidents, and have injured thousands more. Waterways
are second only to highways as the scene of accidental deaths in the country. The Coast Guard and the
U.S. Congress recognize drugs and alcohol as a significant problem on the water.
Boating Stressors:
Sressors commonly affecting helmsman and passengers make drinking or drug use
while boating even more dangerous than drinking and driving.
Research shows that four hours of exposure to noise, vibration, sun, glare, wind and other motion on water
produces a kind of fatigue, or "boater's hypnosis" which slows reaction time almost as much as if you were
legally drunk. Adding drugs or alcohol to boating stress factors intensifies their effects- each drink multiplies
your accident risk.
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