Whether sailing down a river, floating in a lake, or cruising along the coast, boating is a popular pastime throughout the United States. However, each year, hundreds of people die in boat-related accidents. In 2023 alone, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that over 500 people lost their lives to boating incidents caused by things such as operator inattention and inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure.
If you’re a boater or thinking about becoming one, it’s essential to understand where these risks are highest and why. Knowing which states have the most boating deaths and which are the safest can help you better plan your outings and be more prepared.
In this report from SI Yachts, we have compiled a list ranking the states by their number of boating-related deaths and the top 10 causes of such accidents. This information will help you have a fun and safe time out on the water.
While boating can be fun and safe in any state, some places see more accidents than others. Here’s an overview of some of the factors that contributed to the five states with the highest rates of boating deaths:
Considering its size and location inland, it might be surprising, but D.C. is at the top of the list for boating-related deaths. With the Potomac River running through it, there’s still plenty of boating activity, and unfortunately, the river is notoriously dangerous. The waterways are busy, and people often underestimate how perilous boating can be, especially when mixed with alcohol.
Alaska is known for its incredible, wild waters, but those same waters can become hazardous. The weather is unpredictable, and the cold water makes boating even riskier. Many accidents happen when boats capsize, and the victims experience cold water shock. Plus, if something goes wrong, it can take a long time for help to arrive since Alaska is so remote.
Boating in Hawaii means dealing with the open ocean, which, while beautiful, is more dangerous than a placid lake. The waves can be significant, the currents are strong, and the weather can change instantly. Additionally, many people boating in Hawaii are tourists and may not always know how to handle these challenges. This lack of experience leads to a higher number of boat accidents and, sadly, more deaths.
When you think of Colorado, you probably think of mountains, but the state also has lakes and reservoirs where people love to boat. The problem is that high altitude and cold water make these lakes inconspicuously treacherous. Additionally, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has taken initiatives to help decrease the amount of boating under the influence of alcohol, citing it as a considerable factor in the high number of fatal boat accidents in the state.
Despite being a land-locked state with few boat registrations, the relative dangers of Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog lead to high fatalities in this state. In addition to being prone to hypothermia-causing temperatures for most of the year, Lake Champlain is also disposed to dangerous waves and whitecaps.
On the flip side, some states have done a great job keeping their boating death numbers low. These states tend to be inland, have fewer waterways, or have a boating culture dedicated to safety. In 2023, the five states with the lowest rates of boating-related deaths were:
Minnesota, despite being the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," is actually one of the safest places for boaters. With so many lakes, you might expect more accidents, but Minnesota has strong boater safety laws.
Nebraska has few waterways, many of which are shallow or calm. Additionally, Nebraska is one of the least visited states in the country, meaning there are fewer tourists unfamiliar with the rivers and lakes, as well as less crowded waters, which helps keep the number of accidents and fatalities low.
Iowa is another state that enforces strict boating laws. Boating education is taken seriously, requiring all individuals between 12-17 operating a motorized boat to receive boater education. Once again, like Nebraska, there are fewer tourists and waterways in general, meaning fewer people are out on the water compared to more tourist-heavy states.
North Dakota is the second coldest state in the U.S., meaning it’s less appealing for boaters. Because there isn’t much traffic on the water, even during the warm seasons, North Dakota has managed to keep boating deaths low.
Ohio has a significant stretch of coastline on Lake Erie, but it’s still one of the safest states for boating. The state has many patrols on the water and takes safety seriously, from enforcing life jacket rules to educating boaters. Ohio also encourages people to check the weather and avoid going out if conditions are bad, which helps reduce accidents.
No matter where you are in the US, these simple tips from the U.S. Department of Commerce can help you stay safe on the water:
1. Wear a life jacket: Most victims who drown in boating accidents weren’t wearing a life preserver. Life jackets are beneficial even to strong swimmers.
2. Don’t drink and boat: Just like driving, boating while drunk is dangerous and is the leading cause of boating fatalities.
3. Take a boating safety course: If you’re new to boating or even if you’ve been doing it for a while, a safety course can help you stay prepared for dangerous situations.
4. Check the weather: Keep an eye on the weather forecast before heading out, and be ready to change your plans if bad weather rolls in.
5. Don’t overload your boat: Stick to the weight limits for your boat and make sure everything is evenly loaded to keep your vessel stable.
Boating may be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but it’s important to know the risks. Understanding which states are safest for boating can help you navigate the waters more confidently, whether cruising locally or exploring new destinations. As you consider your next boating adventure, ensure you're equipped with a reliable yacht that prioritizes safety and comfort.
Browse our collection of new and used vessels, or contact us today to speak with an expert and get on the water with a yacht you can trust.
Based on the Average Fatality Rate Between 2019-2023
|
State |
Average Number of Annual Boat Registrations Over 5 Years |
2019 Deaths |
2020 Deaths |
2021 Deaths |
2022 Deaths |
2023 Deaths |
Average Fatality Rate Over 5 Years (Deaths per 100,000 Boat Registrations) |
|
|
1 |
Minnesota |
819,388 |
10 |
16 |
18 |
15 |
9 |
1.66 |
|
2 |
Nebraska |
79,394 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2.02 |
|
3 |
Iowa |
210,105 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
2.56 |
|
4 |
North Dakota |
62,882 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2.56 |
|
5 |
Ohio |
624,999 |
13 |
25 |
19 |
17 |
10 |
2.70 |
|
6 |
Michigan |
805,083 |
22 |
31 |
21 |
17 |
21 |
2.78 |
|
7 |
Pennsylvania |
299,325 |
8 |
11 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
3.00 |
|
8 |
Wisconsin |
613,050 |
9 |
22 |
23 |
20 |
28 |
3.32 |
|
9 |
New Hampshire |
102,033 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
3.54 |
|
10 |
Mississippi |
127,383 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
7 |
3.78 |
|
11 |
South Dakota |
60,080 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
4.02 |
|
12 |
Kansas |
82,468 |
2 |
8 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
4.06 |
|
13 |
New Jersey |
149,949 |
4 |
9 |
8 |
4 |
7 |
4.34 |
|
14 |
Indiana |
203,799 |
16 |
8 |
7 |
11 |
4 |
4.50 |
|
15 |
Delaware |
51,699 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
4.62 |
|
16 |
Rhode Island |
38,371 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
4.70 |
|
17 |
New York |
436,096 |
17 |
28 |
17 |
24 |
18 |
4.80 |
|
18 |
South Carolina |
438,012 |
15 |
25 |
18 |
22 |
24 |
5.02 |
|
19 |
Massachusetts |
130,304 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
5 |
9 |
5.08 |
|
20 |
Georgia |
328,392 |
23 |
11 |
17 |
23 |
16 |
5.46 |
|
21 |
Wyoming |
25,529 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5.48 |
|
22 |
North Carolina |
367,979 |
16 |
27 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
5.60 |
|
23 |
Arkansas |
208,827 |
10 |
13 |
11 |
15 |
9 |
5.64 |
|
24 |
Maine |
113,973 |
4 |
11 |
4 |
9 |
4 |
5.66 |
|
25 |
Missouri |
289,190 |
18 |
14 |
28 |
17 |
6 |
5.74 |
|
26 |
California |
671,824 |
39 |
39 |
39 |
43 |
33 |
5.76 |
|
27 |
Kentucky |
160,935 |
9 |
9 |
17 |
4 |
8 |
5.82 |
|
28 |
Maryland |
170,887 |
16 |
7 |
6 |
11 |
10 |
5.86 |
|
29 |
Connecticut |
90,216 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
5.98 |
|
30 |
Oklahoma |
195,549 |
8 |
17 |
12 |
14 |
11 |
6.32 |
|
31 |
Alabama |
248,449 |
28 |
19 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
6.46 |
|
32 |
West Virginia |
45,903 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6.48 |
|
33 |
Florida |
962,096 |
62 |
72 |
61 |
66 |
56 |
6.60 |
|
34 |
Illinois |
201,833 |
18 |
19 |
15 |
5 |
13 |
6.86 |
|
35 |
Louisiana |
307,591 |
20 |
24 |
27 |
29 |
7 |
6.90 |
|
36 |
Virginia |
224,909 |
20 |
21 |
18 |
16 |
8 |
7.36 |
|
37 |
Texas |
570,219 |
43 |
59 |
58 |
34 |
33 |
7.92 |
|
38 |
Arizona |
128,299 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
13 |
9 |
8.12 |
|
39 |
Montana |
69,828 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
3 |
8.40 |
|
40 |
Tennessee |
247,386 |
9 |
30 |
21 |
27 |
22 |
8.84 |
|
41 |
Washington |
243,614 |
27 |
28 |
14 |
18 |
23 |
9.06 |
|
42 |
Idaho |
88,536 |
8 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
7 |
10.18 |
|
43 |
Utah |
65,007 |
7 |
10 |
11 |
4 |
3 |
10.72 |
|
44 |
Nevada |
42,725 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
11.28 |
|
45 |
Oregon |
160,164 |
18 |
26 |
18 |
16 |
13 |
11.30 |
|
46 |
New Mexico |
30,069 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
11.46 |
|
47 |
Vermont |
28,526 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
12.30 |
|
48 |
Colorado |
81,175 |
12 |
17 |
8 |
14 |
15 |
16.40 |
|
49 |
Hawaii |
12,560 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
26.92 |
|
50 |
Alaska |
47,500 |
11 |
24 |
14 |
10 |
21 |
33.90 |
|
51 |
District of Columbia |
1,845 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
44.40 |
A total of 564 recreational boating deaths occurred in 2023.
|
|
Contributing Factor |
Percent of Recreational Boating Deaths in 2023 |
|
1 |
Alcohol use |
14.01% |
|
2 |
Hazardous waters |
9.57% |
|
3 |
Operator inexperience |
7.80% |
|
4 |
Weather |
6.21% |
|
5 |
Operator inattention |
5.85% |
|
6 |
Improper lookout |
5.32% |
|
7 |
Excessive speed |
4.61% |
|
8 |
Improper loading |
4.61% |
|
9 |
Overloading |
3.19% |
|
10 |
Navigation rules violation |
2.84% |
