I just did some browsing on the Coast Guards web page.
http://www.uscgboating.org/statistic...tatistics.aspx
In 2008, the Coast Guard counted 4789 accidents involving 709 deaths, 3331 injuries. Some snippets from the report:
-10 percent of the deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction.
-The top five primary contributing factors in accidents:
1. Careless/reckless operation
2. Operator inattention
3. No proper lookout
4. Operator inexperience
5. Passenger/skier behavior
It should be noted that "Excessive Speed" is 7th on the list, with "Machinery Failure" ranking higher.
-Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 17% of the deaths.
Click the link and see the stats for yourselves. Figures never lie.
