[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

The charts that I posted were from the USCG link that chipj29 gave us. Pages 19 and 20 of the pdf file. He only gave the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.But here is again: http://www.uscgboating.org/statistic...tatistics.aspx

Actually, I did state it specifically in my post. You musta missed it:

Originally Posted by chipj29

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.

It should also be noted that an accident that was caused by a boat going more than 6 MPH in a no-wake zone could be considered to be "Excessive speed". OMG look out for that big bad bass boat going 10 MPH through the NWZ!!
Before you say it elchase or sunset, I am not condoning speeding in NWZ's.