Boating deaths in Florida rose 2005 to the highest number reported in 10 years, but Lee and Collier counties reported only one fatality each among their 74,000-plus registered boats.
"We are very concerned about the upward trend in boating fatalities," said wildlife commission Capt. Richard Moore, Florida's boating law administrator. "Especially given the fact the vast majority of these are easily preventable."
Polk County had the highest number of fatalities in boating accidents in 2005, according to a report released this week by the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Volusia County ranks sixth for boating accidents in the state.
Boating deaths and accidents surged in Florida Keys waters in 2005, keeping Monroe County in its dubious spot at the top of Florida's maritime mayhem.
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The number of boats are rising with this State’s population and thus we can expect more of this unless boaters are educated and follow the rules.
Dwayne

CBS4 News) VIRGINIA KEY The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for a young New York Man who went overboard while boating in Biscayne Bay Tuesday.
According to officials, the women boating with him originally found the man face down in the water but thought he was joking around. Upon returning to pick him out of the water, they realized it was an accident.
Dwayne

Boating Deaths in Florida

The ocean drowning of two brothers was among 30 boating deaths statewide related to people falling or going overboard. And that was the leading cause of Florida in 2005 having the largest number of boating deaths in a decade, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's 2005 Boating Accident Statistical Report.

ROUGH WATER AHEAD??

People dying in connection with falling overboard was a leading cause of Florida having the largest number of boating fatalities — 80 — in 2005, state reports show. Thirty of those died from falling overboard, a 53 percent increase from 2004. There were five deaths along the Treasure Coast. Of the 30 deaths:

• 93 percent drowned, despite 63 percent being swimmers.

• 100 percent of the drowned were not wearing a life jacket.

• 79 percent fell were from an open motorboat or some small unstable craft.

• 69 percent occurred in calm, inland waters.

• 53 percent were more than 50 years old.

By the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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As you can see from the stats, accidents and deaths occur even in calm inland waters and life jackets were not being worn in 100 per cent of the drowning deaths.

Dwayne

Bloglines - Expect the unexpected

Bloglines user Lawboat (lawboat@comcast.net) has sent this item to you.

Boating - Topix.net News on Boating from Topix.net

Expect the unexpected As spring creeps into the Seacoast, many area residents will launch into Seacoast waters, and I'm worried sick about it.