Most Broken Rule

[B R]

Originally Posted by Skip

Latest figures available show the Florida fatality rate constant at about 5 deaths per 100,000 boats. Doesn't even come close to Alaska's death rate of 32 per 100,000. The death rate is higher in a number of other States, including 12 per 100,000 in Arkansas, or 10 per 100,000 in Texas.

By the way, (notwithstanding a handful of highly sensationalized stories)New Hampshire's death rate averages about 3 per 100,000 over the last decade. Nothing to be proud about (any death is one too many) but substantially safer then costantly portrayed by some!

skip,

thanks for keeping us up to date with stats. it is much appreciated.

i think your comparison on a per thousand basis is more helpful than other, possibly intentionally mis-leading numbers.

thanks

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by B R

skip, thanks for keeping us up to date with stats. it is much appreciated.

The last Coast Guard stats (page 30, below URL) show Florida as having the worst accident rate, with California and Texas behind. http://www.uscgboating.org/statistic...stics_2002.pdf

Just using boating fatalities distorts the findings, as a single disaster -- or including commercial figures -- can skew the results for a given year. Alaska, for example, suffers an average of 20 fatalities per year among just commercial crabbing vessels. http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories...40712002.shtml

Originally Posted by B R

i think your comparison on a per thousand basis is more helpful than other, possibly intentionally mis-leading numbers. thanks

About half the states don't require registration of non-motorized boats, where these Coast Guard stats come from (the per thousand basis) . New Hampshire has lots of unregistered non-motorized vessels, and about 100,000 registered vessels.

Because New Hampshire even requires registration of 12-foot windsurfers, its stats should indicate a safe watery environment. That being said, New Hampshire has admitted their statistics-collecting is flawed*, as has their FBI felony reporting*.

The "baddest-boater" stats should include "murder in the third-degree" (Manslaughter) figures. Any attorney with "Westlaw" Internet access should be able to bring those stats up for the Forum.

If you peruse the Coast Guard stats, you'll see that February "peaks" for the majority of states in cold-water boating accidents/fatalities. New Hampshire is not included. 'Wonder why?

*Documentation I've posted here twice before.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by madrasahs

Just using boating fatalities distorts the findings, as a single disaster -- or including commercial figures -- can skew the results for a given year.

Thank you Bob!

You have come full circle and finally realized the fallacy of your own perceptions against a certain class of boat. I couldn't have proven my point any better than with your own words in your latest post!

Let me again remind you of your own findings;

Originally Posted by madrasahs

Just using boating fatalities distorts the findings, as a single disaster -- or including commercial figures -- can skew the results for a given year.

See, a little research didn't hurt you.

I know...it's very painstakingly slow on those dial-up connections, but it is a necessary evil if one wants to be taken seriously in a debate.

Perhaps if you ever get up this way again you could spring for broadband..it will open up whole new worlds of opportunities for you (or so say the statistics).

In closing, this extended debate should serve as a warning to readers that statistics must be peoperly employed to bear meaningful fruit. In the case of the so called "off-shore boat", data shows that there are so few accidents and/or fatalities per year within this classification that statistical data is insignificant/meaningless when compared to the classifications of other boats.

The fact of the matter remains that boating is an extremely safe hobby with little chance of you or your loved ones becoming injured or killed when compared to a myriad of other daily activities. All it takes is a little common sense (and a little less prejudice) to enjoy this endeavor to it's maximum.

Skip

[madrasahs]

Fatalities and Manslaughters are not equivalents.

Originally Posted by skip

In the case of the so called "off-shore boat", data shows that there are so few accidents and/or fatalities per year within this classification that statistical data is insignificant/meaningless

Correct. Offshores are hidden within the Coast Guard classification "open motorboats".

Offshores comprise a proportionately very tiny percentage of New Hampshire's numbered and unnumbered boats. (For all the mayhem, that is....)

Check out page 33, though: "Accidents by Boat Length". There is a spike at 36-feet (Littlefield-zone), and a major spike at 40-foot (to 65-foot).

Still, the only access to boating manslaughters is through "Westlaw" subscription, (All trial attorneys use it).

Or...schlepping through the Internet....