From its river and lakes to its state parks, Mississippi is filled with boating and water recreation opportunities. While these activities can provide an entire summer’s worth of family fun, devastating accidents happen when people neglect their responsibilities as boat owners and operators.

Mississippi Boating Accident Statistics

Every year, the United States Coast Guard publishes a Recreational Boating Statistics report. Here’s what they found in 2017.

• Nationally, 4,291 boating accidents occurred, resulting in 2,629 injuries and 658 deaths.
• In Mississippi, 34 boating accidents resulted in 6 deaths.
• 76 percent of the time the victim drowned; and 84.5 percent of the time that person was not wearing a lifejacket.
• Alcohol was found to be the primary cause of the accidents, resulting in 19 percent of the fatalities.
• 81 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not taken the required boating safety class.

Maritime accidents are accidents that happen on coastal or river waters. They can occur on fishing vessels, cargo vessels, passenger vessels, cruise ships, offshore oil rigs, or other types of vessels that spend more time on the open water than at dock. Maritime accidents can happen for a variety of reasons and involve injuries that may or may not be severe, but some of the most devastating types of maritime injuries are those that occur due to negligence.

Accidents caused by negligence—also sometimes defined as careless, reckless, or wrongful actions—are those that could have been prevented had the guilty party been acting responsibly, correctly adhering to safety guidelines, or been more watchful. Here are some of the most common causes that lead to maritime injuries in Mississippi and all along the Gulf Coast: