Sail Through the 2025 Boating License Test – Anchor Your Success and Navigate with Confidence!

Falling overboard and drowning represents the major cause of fatalities involving small boats because many accidents occur unexpectedly and often involve individuals not wearing life jackets. When someone falls overboard, especially in colder water temperatures or challenging weather conditions, the risk of drowning increases significantly. Even experienced boaters can face fatal outcomes if they end up in the water without a personal flotation device.

The statistics reveal that a substantial percentage of small boat fatalities stem from incidents where individuals have fallen overboard, highlighting the importance of safety measures such as life jackets, educating passengers about safe boating practices, and maintaining a secure environment on the boat. Additionally, factors like alcohol consumption can exacerbate the likelihood of falling overboard, but the basic risk remains the act of falling itself, which leads to drowning. This focus on prevention underscores why drowning remains the leading cause of small boat fatalities.