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SACRAMENTO— According to the “2007 California Boating Safety Report,” 39 of the 55 victims who died in state boating accidents were not wearing life jackets. The Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) report provides data about boating accidents, injuries and deaths reported in 2007.

“Life jacket use is critical to safe boating,” said Cal Boating Director Raynor Tsuneyoshi.  “All boaters, including anglers, are urged to always wear life jackets and to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while on board a vessel. Information from the 2007 report will help us better target our education efforts to stress these messages.” 

Of the fatalities outlined in the report, 19 were fishing-related and 20 involved alcohol. Thirty-nine victims drowned.

In 2007, 804 boating accidents occurred in California, ranking it first among all states, followed by Florida, which had 668. Florida is the only state with more boating fatalities, 77, and more registered recreational vessels, 1,027,043. There are 964,881 registered recreational vessels in California.

The statistics in the Boating Safety Report reflect every reported boating accident in California in 2007. Although Cal Boating believes that all accidents involving fatalities were reported, many non-fatal accidents are never reported to Cal Boating or law enforcement agencies due to noncompliance with, or ignorance of, the reporting law.  

State law requires boaters involved in accidents to file a written report with Cal Boating when a person dies, disappears or requires medical attention beyond first aid. A report is also required when an accident results in damage to a vessel or other property exceeding $500 or there is a complete loss of a vessel.  Boaters can find a printable California Boating Accident Report form at www.dbw.ca.gov/PDF/AccidentForms/BAR.pdf.

Cal Boating will use information from the report to strengthen its on-the-water safety and education programs such as the Wear It California! life jacket initiative and the “Responsibility” campaign that reminds water users: “If it’s your boat, it’s your responsibility.”

To view the “2007 California Boating Safety Report” in its entirety, visit www.dbw.ca.gov.