New BoatUS course targets leading causes of boating accidents
Image courtesy of Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore/BoatUS Foundation.
BoatUS Foundation – a nonprofit promoting responsible boating – has launched a new free online course titled “S.C.A.N. – Improving Boater Situational Awareness”, designed to address the risks of distracted boating.
According to US Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics, “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” are consistently listed among the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2023, accounting for 79 deaths, or 17 per cent of total fatalities. Other common factors include operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure.
In 2023, US boating deaths occurred predominantly on vessels operated by individuals who had not received boating safety instruction, accounting for 75 per cent of fatalities. Open motorboats, personal watercraft and cabin motorboats were the vessel types most involved in reported incidents. Drowning accounted for 75 per cent of deaths, with 87 per cent of those victims not wearing life jackets.
Overall, the fatality rate was 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. Property damage totalled $63m.
BoatUS Foundation distracted boating course
BoatUS says the new course is intended to help users recognise and reduce distractions while improving focus and navigation skills.
The short online course introduces the S.C.A.N. method (Search, Concentrate, Analyse, Navigate) as a framework for enhancing situational awareness. It also includes instruction on maintaining a proper lookout, understanding nautical rules of the road and applying practical strategies to manage distractions. The content is delivered through short video scenarios and interactive quizzes.
“The growing list of distractions aboard a boat only made us more determined to offer a new and innovative accident avoidance course that will sharpen anyone’s skills,” said BoatUS Foundation director of boating safety Ted Sensenbrenner.
The S.C.A.N. course has been funded through a grant from the US Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety and the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. While the course does not satisfy any state boating education requirements, BoatUS Foundation separately offers a NASBLA-approved free online course that meets certification standards in 37 states.
