Michigan is truly a boating paradise. With four of the five Great Lakes touching our shores and more than 11,000 inland lakes, it’s no surprise that Michigan annually registers more boats than any other state in the nation.

As the hotter-than-average weather in July prompted more boaters to spend time on the water, marine safety officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources braced themselves for a surge in both recreational boating accidents and boating-related fatalities.

Fortunately it didn’t happen. Although any fatality or injury related to boating is tragic, as of July 27, figures for the 2005 boating season show 11 fatalities compared to 21 fatal accidents reported through the same date a year ago.

“Boating is a remarkably safe sport when you consider the number of people who do it and the number of watercraft out there,” said Lt. Creig Grey, marine safety and education supervisor for the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “It’s remarkable we don’t see more accidents than we do.”

Still, Grey said, the accident data clearly shows that unsafe boating practices account for the majority of the injuries and deaths, most of which could have been avoided.

“Most people tend to think of boating purely in terms of fun. That’s good. If done right and correctly, it should be fun,” Grey said. “But water enthusiasts also must realize that safe, responsible, courteous boating is everyone’s responsibility.”

According to the DNR, Michigan waters are safer than they use to be. In 1970, there were 435,000 registered boats in Michigan and 79 fatalities resulting from 66 accidents. Last year, there were 950,000 boats registered and 27 fatalities from 26 accidents.

In recent years, the overall number of accidents also has dropped. In 2001, DNR statistics show 205 people were injured in 348 accidents. The 2004 reports indicate 168 recreational boating accidents resulted in 86 injuries.

In 2004, about 77 percent of the accidents occurred during June, July and August, and more than half occurred on a Saturday or Sunday. The vast majority of accidents (137) occurred after noon.

Surprisingly, only a fourth of these accidents occurred on the Great Lakes meaning the majority occurred on the state’s inland lakes.

“When you put boats, personal watercraft, skiers and swimmers all together on a crowded lake, there’s a greater need for everyone to play it safely and use caution,” said Lt. Jane Gordon, law enforcement supervisor for District 11, which includes 10 counties in south central Michigan.

Although DNR officials credit the increased visibility of marine patrols by conservation officers and sheriff’s deputies, especially on inland lakes that historically have had the most serious problems, Gordon believes safety education and training is the key to reducing boating accidents.

“Boats are more complex than cars. A 15-foot jetboat handles differently from a 32-foot motorboat or a 25-foot sailboat,” Gordon said. “A boating safety class teaches you the rules of the road, what to do and what not to do on any body of water.”

More than 200,000 students have been trained in boater safety education over the past five years, she said.

Boater education is available through your local sheriff’s department, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, local boat dealers and others. To locate a boating safety class in your area, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

For safe and enjoyable boating, the DNR urges all water sport enthusiast to observe these safety guidelines:

• Wear a life jacket: 70 percent of boating fatalities involve drowning, and of those who drowned, 86 percent were not wearing a life jacket. With a number of colors and styles available, there is no excuse for not wearing a life jacket.
• Make sure your boat is properly equipped and your equipment is in good working order: In addition to all legally required equipment, such as life jackets and fire extinguishers, always carry a first aid kit, nautical charts and an anchor. Make sure your navigation lights are working properly.
• Avoid alcohol: Nearly 50 percent of all boating accidents involve alcohol. Studies show that passengers also are 10 times more likely to fall overboard when they have been consuming alcohol.
• File a float plan: Always let a family member or friend on shore know the “who, what, when, and where” of your trip. Include phone numbers for the local sheriff or U.S. Coast Guard in the event you don’t return when expected.
• Maintain a sharp lookout: Always be alert for other boats, swimmers or skiers and objects in the water. This is especially true when operating in crowded waterways, and at night or during conditions of restricted visibility.
• Carry a marine radio or cell phone: Be prepared to call for help in case you are involved in an accident, your boat becomes disabled, or you otherwise need assistance. Make sure a cell phone is fully charged, but be aware there often are gaps in cell-phone coverage on the water.