USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Portions of the Department of Transportation are currently in shutdown/furlough status due to a lapse in appropriations. Please continue to monitor this page for updates on DOT’s operating status.
U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Table 4-5Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and Drownings in Recreational Boating Accidents, 2000

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Table 4-5
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and Drownings in Recreational Boating Accidents, 2000

Excel | CSV

Boat type Was PFD worn ? Total drownings
Yes No
Auxiliary sail 0 12 12
Cabin motorboat 5 27 32
Canoe/kayak 28 65 93
Houseboat 0 7 7
Inflatable 7 8 15
Open motorboat 19 261 280
Other 0 9 9
Personal watercraft 13 11 24
Pontoon 0 3 3
Rowboat 1 34 35
Sail (only) 1 4 4
Total 74 445 519

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Boating Safety, Boating Statistics - 2000, available at http://www.uscgboating.org/saf/pdf/boating_statistics_2000.pdf as of October 2001.

  • Life jackets and other PFDs can reduce loss of life in boating accidents.
  • 86 percent of the people who drowned in recreational boating accidents in 2000 were not using PFDs.