2024 boating accident report shows continued issue of low life-jacket use among victims

HOT SPRINGS — According to the recently released 2024 Year-End Boating Accident Report compiled by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, life jacket wear continues to be one of the largest shortfalls among Arkansas boaters when it comes to enjoying the water safely.
Only 20 percent of the 207 individuals involved in boating accidents last year were wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident, and only one of the nine victims involved in boating fatalities recorded last year were wearing a life jacket.
Sydney Grant, AGFC Boating Law Administrator, says that drownings account for the majority of fatalities every year on Arkansas waters, and in many cases, life jackets were available, but not worn.
“Arkansas game wardens and other rescue agency personnel have seen too many drownings where a life jacket was out but not worn,” Grant said. “It’s not a seat cushion or a piece of gear you just throw in the boat and forget about. It’s there to save your life so why wouldn’t you use it?”
According to Arkansas boating law, all vessels must have at least one properly fitting Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person onboard.
Grant notes that children 12 and younger must wear a properly fitting life jacket the entire time they are on the water. The only exception to this is on houseboats and pontoon boats with adequate handrails that are not underway.
“Even those vessels require life jacket use by younger boaters when it is underway,” Grant said.
Grant says many boaters use the excuse that they know how to swim to avoid wearing a life jacket, but that reply rarely holds water.
“Swimming in a pool is much different than falling unprepared into the water fully clothed,” Grant said. “And many boating accidents result in injuries, which can compound any problems with swimming. Even climbing back on board a boat can be challenging for many people without help or a ladder attached to the gunwale. That life jacket gives you the help you need to stay afloat until help arrives after an accident.”
What caused the accidents in the first place?

“Operator inattention was the number one primary contributor to most of our boating accidents in 2024,” Grant said.
According to Grant, cell phone use on the water has increased, and it has been the cause in a rising number of accidents.
“It’s illegal to text and drive a car, but a lot of people don’t understand that it’s extremely dangerous on a boat, too,” Grant said. “It only takes a second for things to go wrong, and, unlike cars, boats don’t have brakes, so they take more room to stop or turn if you get in trouble.”
Other factors, such as operator inexperience, unseen water hazards and alcohol or drug use also played a role in many accidents, but inattention was by far the biggest primary cause of boating accidents last year.
Life jackets weren’t the only noticeable absence during boating accidents in 2024. Only 34 percent of the operators involved in boating accidents last year had taken any boating safety course.
“Again, it’s a requirement for some boaters, but not all,” Grant said. “Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and of legal age to operate a motorboat is required to have passed an AGFC-approved Boater Education course and carry proof of the certification with them while on the water.
“Just like the life jackets, these courses are meant to save your life and the lives of others, it doesn’t take much effort to complete a boating safety course, and some insurance companies will even give you a lower rate if you have the certification.”
Grant also points out that many people involved in boating accidents were experienced boaters.
“The average age of fatality victims was 59,” Grant said. “And we had more operators with more than 100 hours of experience get involved in accidents than we did operators with less than 20 hours of experience.”
Visit www.agfc.com/boatered to read more about the 2024 Boating Accident Year-End Report and learn more about Boater Education in Arkansas.