Fewest boating deaths recorded

The U.S. Coast Guard has released its 2013 Recreational Boating Statistics, revealing that boating fatalities totaled 560—the fewest boating fatalities on record. From 2012 to 2013, deaths in boating-related accidents decreased 14 percent, from 651 to 560, and injuries decreased from 3,000 to 2,620. The total reported recreational boating accidents decreased from 4,515 to 4,062, a 10 percent decrease. The report states alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents—16 percent. Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.