>From the November issue of Boat US Magazine: Canoes, PWC's Sink Safety Trend Recreational boating safety took a major step backward during 97 as the Coast Guard reports that boating fatalities rose 13%, and the number of reported accidents reached an all time high. After years of a welcome downward trend, fatalities jumped from 709 in 96 (a record low since records were first kept three decades ago) to 819 in 97. The total number of reported boating accidents went from 8,026 to 8,044. Boat registration also increased, but only by 4%, from 11,877,938 to 12,309,724. One type of craft where fatalities jumped dramatically were canoes and kayaks, accounting for 46 more than the prior year. Out of 819 , 110 or 13.4% were in canoes and kayaks. PWC's accounted for 84, or 10% of fatalities last year. This number is 27 more than 96, and a record high for the popular vehicles. snipittydoodah, snippittyday......... As in past years, the majority of fatalities are drownings - 586 out of 819 fatalities drowned, and 90% were not wearing a PFD when they drowned. There were 86 more drownings for the year. Six out of ten fatal accidents were caused by capsizing or falling overboard according to the Coast Guard. The full text of the report is expected to be on the Coast Guards website _at_ www.uscgboating.org. OK, now what?? Scott Just east of Bimini..... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Oct 30 1998 - 17:34:43 PST
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