A Study of Boat and Boat Propeller-Related Injuries in the United States, 1991-1992

This report emanates from the U.S. Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill, 1991 Report 101-584, which requested that the United States Coast Guard contract with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the number and severity of boat-propeller-related injuries. Data collection on boat and boat- propeller-related injuries was achieved through two mechanisms. The first mechanism was a nationwide data collection of boat and boat-propeller-related injuries using the existing National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which is operated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The second mechanism made use of the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services statewide hospital-based trauma registry. The latter data collection was enhanced by linkage with boating accident reports from the Florida Marine Patrol. The study shows that between 61,390 and 46,369 boating injuries were estimated to occur in the United States during September 1, 1991 through August 31, 1992, the study period. Boat propellers were responsible for an estimated 1, 155 of these injuries. The study includes data on all boating-related injuries, including those occurring on and off the water, and with the engine on and off. Data from the State of Florida indicated that 860 boating injuries occurred during the study period, and that 43 of these were caused by a boat propeller. The Florida data also indicated that 71 individuals died while participating in boating-related activities, and that seven of these fatalities were as a result of propeller injuries.