The U.S. Coast Guard recently released the 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics Report. It showed the fewest U.S. fatalities in more than 50 years.
Still, the report contains some disturbing underlying statistics.
Stand-up paddleboarding saw a double-digit increase in fatalities (+164%), jumping from 11 deaths in 2023 to 29 deaths in 2024.
Paddlesports in general remained inordinately high, contributing nearly 30% of all known vessel type fatalities (down from 33% in 2023). Cabin motorboats reported an 80% increase, increasing from 20 deaths in 2023 to 36 deaths in 2024.
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Alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2024, accounting for 92 deaths, or 20% of total fatalities. Deaths occurred predominantly on vessels operated by individuals who had not received boating safety instruction, accounting for roughly 70% of fatalities. Drowning accounted for three-quarters of deaths, with 87% of victims not wearing life jackets.
The Watersports Foundation (WSF) began its media outreach campaigns in 2011. Since then, boating fatalities, as compared to the 2024 report, are down 26.6% representing 202 fewer boating deaths.
