Recreational boating fatalities decreased 11.3% in 2023 from the year prior, as did overall boating incidents (-4.9%) and non-fatal boating injuries (-4.3%), according to the U.S. Coast Guard. However, these often-preventable incidents still affect thousands of people each year. The leading known contributing factor to boating accidents in 2023 was alcohol, which accounted for 17% of total boating fatalities. Other major contributing factors to boating incidents were operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure. Drowning accounted for 75% of last year's boating-related fatalities, and the Coast Guard reports 87% of those fatalities were not wearing life jackets. Boating accidents also caused $63 million worth of property damage last year. "Boaters should remain vigilant on the water as most incidents occur when you might least expect them — in good visibility, calm waters and little wind," Captain Amy Beach, inspections and compliance director with the U.S. Coast Guard, said in a release. "The most frequent events involve collisions with other vessels, objects or groundings, which is why it is so important to keep a proper lookout, navigate at a safe speed, adhere to navigation rules and obey navigation aids." In the slideshow above, we share seven boating safety tips to keep in mind as you head into the Independent Day holiday, courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

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