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January 6, 2006
OHIO RECORDS 12 BOATING-RELATED FATALITIES IN 2005
Number of fatalities is third lowest since 1960
COLUMBUS, OH - Twelve Ohioans died in boating related accidents during 2005, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The figure was the third lowest recorded in the state since 1960 and significantly below the 10-year seasonal average of 17 fatalities. A record low of seven boating-related fatalities occurred in 2004.
“None of these 12 victims was wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident,” said Mike Quinn, acting chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. “Life jackets remain the most important safety equipment that Ohio’s recreational boaters have onboard.”
The 12 fatalities of 2005 resulted from 11 boating incidents, which occurred in Summit, Ottawa, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Clark, Jackson, Franklin, Muskingum, Fairfield and Mercer counties. The Mercer County incident claimed two lives. The fatalities were the result of overboard falls, boat capsizings or voluntary jumps into the water, reports showed.
All the victims were male, between 15 and 65 years of age. Eight of the 12 were age 40 or older.
Ohio registers about 418,000 watercraft; only seven states register more than that number.
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