New Hampshire, Fewer boating injuries seen as sign that boater education's working

By DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent

LACONIA — The number of boating injuries reported fell dramatically in 2014, a sign that boater education is working, according to the leader of the state’s Marine Patrol.

“The drop in personal injuries is nice to see,” Marine Patrol Lt. Tim Dunleavy said. “It’s really symptomatic of the wise boaters we now have in our state.”

The state’s mandatory boater education program, in effect since 2008, is required for everyone 16 and older operating a motorboat with 25 horsepower or more on state waters.

Boaters can take an eight-hour course to obtain their certificate, or they can take a one-hour test if they believe they have the knowledge and skills necessary to pass.

“The numbers have consistently shown that the education is working,” Dunleavy said.

The number of accidents with personal injuries dropped from 22 in 2013 to four last year, he said. That is despite the fact that boating accidents rose, with the number of reportable accidents at 47. There were 38 reportable boating accidents in 2013, and 42 in 2012.

Dunleavy said the number of boating-related fatalities remained low, at one, the same number of boating fatalities reported in 2013. That’s down from four fatalities in 2012.

Last year’s lone fatality occurred on June 21, when a 64-year-old man from Athol, Mass., died after his kayak turned over on Lake Tarleton in Piermont.

Law enforcement authorities hope that no fatalities occur each year, “but one is a good number,” he said.

The number of non-boating-related drownings went from 19 in 2013 to 14 in 2014.

There were 21 arrests for boating while intoxicated, down from 26 cases the year before, “but that could happen for many reasons; that’s not a signal of anything,” Dunleavy said.

The number of summonses issues for boating-related issues dropped, though warnings rose slightly, he said.The Marine Patrol and its officers are moving to a new building soon, but officers will be available for boaters’ needs at their temporary offices at 67 Communications Drive in Laconia in the months ahead, Dunleavy said.

http://www.newhampshire.com/apps/pbc...whampshire1407