Identifying Human Factors Causes from Boating Accident Data *

Abstract

From the analyses of 5,044 boating accidents in 1972, profiles of accidents involving the 1,320 Drownings, 120 Other Deaths, Damage and Injury categories were tabularized to show typical patterns of the respective accident categories. The most significant finding was the high percent of drowning fatalities in boats. About 70% of the Drownings and 30% of the Other Deaths occurred in boats under 16 feet; and most of them had little or no engine power. In the 16–26 foot range, about 50% of the Other Deaths and 50% of the Damage occurred. Two areas of needed research are implied here. First, the sensory related capabilities of people to maintain balance in small boats has been apparently grossly overestimated. Second, in the larger boats there is the problem of collisions with people and objects which lead to the higher Damage and Other Death data results. Visibility, handling skills, decision making and vigilance are areas which would seem to be potentially linked to these losses. Research topics in these areas are suggested as being necessary to provide information needed for future standards, better engineering design practices and operator education classes.