U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 10 August 2008

Contact: Anthony Turner
Chief, External Communications Division
310-908-6950
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.new.auxpa.org/

California ranks number one and two - but in this case that is bad news.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - In a recent report released by the California Department of Boating and Waterways (CAL Boating), California led the nation in 2007with 804 reported boating accidents and was number two in boating fatalities with 55.  Florida with more than 62,000 registered boats had 136 fewer accidents than California, according to report.

In 2006 there were 757 reported boating accidents and 42 fatalities in California. The 2007 figures represent a 6.2% increase in accidents and 30% increase in fatalities. Operator inattention was noted as the primary cause of boating accidents and fatalities in 2007 followed by operator inexperience and excessive speed. “It is unfortunate that there has been an increase in boating accidents and fatalities in California, especially considering the majority of boating accidents are preventable” said Captain Paul Wiedenhoeft, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach, the Coast Guard officer responsible for the area from Dana Point to Morro Bay in California. “Just by paying closer attention to their surroundings, taking a boating education class, slowing down and of course wearing a life jacket can and will make a difference and may save lives or prevent an accident.” (The report showed that of the fatalities 71% of the victims drowned. Of that group, 87% were not wearing a life jacket.)

Education about water safety is important, and the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary urge boaters, divers, kayakers, canoeists and all members of the maritime community to take a boating safety course.

These courses are offered all over the country by the Coast Guard Auxiliary as well as by other organizations. Safety starts with education and taking an approved course is a good way to stay safe during the summer and year round.

For more information about safe boating courses, contact the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary at http://www.cgaux.org or call 1-877-875-6296. To view the “2007 California Boating Safety Report” in its entirety, visit www.dbw.ca.gov.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law enforcement actions.

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