Re: [Paddlewise] Incident in the Apostles

For all interested, an interim update on boating accident data.  Have not been
able to get to the Coast Guard gent who keeps the stats, but did talk to
another gent there who was able to provide some amplifying information.

As to responsibilities: the <operator> of the vessel involved in any
"reportable incident" is required to contact state and/or local authorities if
the incident involves (1) a fatality, (2) property damage to the vessel and/or
other property valued in excess of $500, (3) injuries which involve emergency
medical care beyond first aid, or (4) the disappearance of an individual under
conditions which indicate death or injury.  I'm paraphrasing my contact who
was paraphrasing the rules here, so don't take this as gospel --- but it's
functionally the way it works.  (For our readers in Canada, I've got a POC in
Ottawa to call to get some referrals for y'all, but haven't had time to run
the wickets yet; I'll do the U.S. stuff first, compile that, and then pass the
Canadian info on, as well.)

But here's the catch for those who want official data to compile sea kayaking
databases of on-water incidents.  As stated at the top, it's the legal
responsibility of the operator of the vessel to pass data on a reportable
incident along to the proper state/local authorities, and those authorities
are required, then, to pass this data to the Coast Guard.  My source indicated
that the Coast Guard believes that they receive 99.9% of reportable
fatalities, and about 5% --- that's not a misprint, it's only five percent ---
of all other categories of legally reportable incidents.  So much for the
single source for U.S. sea kayaking incidents!  Individual states' stats may
be better, but I haven't run that part of the check yet.

So, when I do get to the keeper of the numbers --- and that's more likely to
be late next week at the earliest --- the only statistically significant
numbers the USCG is likely to be able to give us is the fatality info.  And
the newest hard copy is 1996 data.  May be able to get it electronically, and
may be able to get 1997 data electronically, as well.  That's a good start,
but, obviously, it's only a small part of the actual data we'd like to have,
'cause 95% of the injury information will be unreported.

Incidentally, someone suggested the NTSB as another potential source of data;
from what I've been able to get thus far, that's a dead end.  They keep data
on <big> stuff, but the Coast Guard really does have the responsiblity for
keeping track of the level of incidents which are important to us.

Will pass stuff along as I get it --- and, eventually, will also copy the New
York and CPA lists, 'cause I know there are a few people there who will be
interested, as well.

Jack Martin
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