USCG Recreational Boating Statistics 2018

Total counts for 2018 Coast Guard Boating Accident Report Database (BARD) reported accidents, injuries, and fatalities were down compared to 2017.

2018 USCG BARD reported accident statistics were 4145 accidents, 2,511 injuries, and 633 fatalities.

2017 USCG stats were 4,291 accidents, 2629 injuries, and 658 fatalities.

For 2018 USCG reported 177 propeller accidents, 177 injuries, and 25 fatalities.

2017 USCG stats were 172 propeller accidents, 162 propeller injuries, and 31 fatalities.

Thanks to all those at USCG whose efforts helped make this annual statistical report of boating accidents possible.

We would also like to thank USCG, law enforcement officials, lake patrols, first responders, nurses and physicians, those offering boating safety classes, boat safety equipment check points, safe boaters, state boating law administrators, life jacket loaner program participants, Operation Dry Water, those spreading boating safety messages, and all others who work tirelessly to drive these annual totals down.

Plus thanks to all the state boating law administrators and all the officers in the field filling out the accident reports, and to the individuals that self reported their accidents.