Coast Guard says number of "numbered" boats is declining.......
 

http://www.bts.gov/publications/nati...ble_02_43.html

Looks like the numbers are off by about 200,000 registered boats,
nationwide, in the last few years (out of over 12 million).

Overall, this history of reported death, injury, and property damage at
the posted link seems to indicate that we are boating more safely
these days. Could be better equipment, but my theory is it's a
combination of more safety awareness and education combined with a
general "graying" of the population.

Back in 1965, when there were 32.9 fatalities per 100,000 registered
boats (that's a lot!), I think the average age of the population of the
US was somewhere around 18 or 19 years of age. Today, the average age
of an American is substantially older, and we seem to be boating with
fewer injuries and fatalities.

Coast Guard says number of "numbered" boats is declining.......
 

Out of 4,904 accidents only 582 involved alcohol....well only 2 beers
officer.
- Allen

wrote in message
ups.com...
http://www.bts.gov/publications/nati...ble_02_43.html

Looks like the numbers are off by about 200,000 registered boats,
nationwide, in the last few years (out of over 12 million).

Overall, this history of reported death, injury, and property damage at
the posted link seems to indicate that we are boating more safely
these days. Could be better equipment, but my theory is it's a
combination of more safety awareness and education combined with a
general "graying" of the population.

Back in 1965, when there were 32.9 fatalities per 100,000 registered
boats (that's a lot!), I think the average age of the population of the
US was somewhere around 18 or 19 years of age. Today, the average age
of an American is substantially older, and we seem to be boating with
fewer injuries and fatalities.

Coast Guard says number of "numbered" boats is declining.......
 

I heard there has been a similar trend in Finland. Certainly it's
better equipment (notice increasing costs of damage too), better maps,
better weather data etc but also a more safety conscious society.
People take fewer risks and those risks are more calculated.