Boat Wrecks, Deaths Drop Dramatically in 2004

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AUSTIN, Texas — The number of reported boating accidents, boating-related injuries and fatalities on public waterways declined in 2004 compared with the same time period in the last three years.

Following are the statistics, which are comparing Jan. 1-Oct. 1 wrecks from each year. In 2003, 32 people had died by this point in the year but for 2004, the figure is 25. Injuries are at 133 for this year and last year at this time, were at 168.

Jan. 1–Oct 1
YearAccidentsInjuriesFatalities
200123518839
200224114857
200324816832
200418113325

“Part of the downward trend can be attributed to the rainy season and rainy weekends that occurred during this year so far,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Chief of Marine Enforcement Alfonso Campos. “The rain worked to keep recreational boaters away from the rivers, lakes and coastal waters.”

TPWD is charged with keeping records of boating-related deaths on all PUBLIC waterways in Texas. This year, Texas Game Wardens have put in more than 113,000 hours of boat patrols on Texas Waters and contacted over 450,000 recreational boaters.

“Another factor that kept our numbers lower is the fact that we did not have as many multiple-fatality accidents,” Campos said.

And maybe people are being just a little more safe out there. “We hope so,” Campos said. “Whatever they are doing, they should continue doing it!”

For more information about boating in Texas, visit the Web (http://tpwd.texas.gov/boat/).