Accidents: Slight increase in the number of accidents involving pleasure craft

With a total of 443 accident reports from commercial and recreational shipping to the BSU 2019 was "a good year", according to the authority's recently published annual report. In 2018, there were just under 30 reports, and in 2017 there were even more than 70 reports. This declining and therefore positive trend has also been observed in the recreational craft sector in recent years. After an initial slight increase in the number of cases in 2018, this unfortunately came to an end again last year.

The number of entries from the recreational craft sector rose by nine to 69 in 2019 compared to the previous year. They therefore accounted for 15.6 per cent of the total number of entries. In 2018, this share was a more pleasing 12.8 per cent. Traditional vessels accounted for four entries in 2019 (after five entries in 2018 and eight in 2017).

Unfortunately, the number of fatalities associated with accidents has also risen again. In total, four recreational boaters lost their lives in accidents reported to the BSU last year. In 2018, the statistics recorded just one fatality and in 2017 two. As horrific as each individual case is, the level at which these figures have remained for years is low - given the many thousands of motor boaters and sailors who pursue their hobby in this country.

The entire BSU Report 2019 which, by its very nature, is largely concerned with accidents involving commercial shipping and whose statistical section therefore does not differentiate between motorboat drivers and sailors, is available for download on the Internet.

Downloads:

Lifejackets, 150-N class (pdf)

Lifejackets: Twelve 275-N models (pdf)

Life jackets: Children's life jackets (pdf)

Lifejackets: Children's automatic lifejackets (pdf)

Life rafts: 6 models (pdf)

Life raft: Correct storage (pdf)

Software: Sea rescue app SafeTrx (pdf)