Participation Figures

82 million adult Americans participated in recreational boating

U.S. Forest Service, 2009

12.7 million boats registered in the United States

U.S. Coast Guard, 2009

2020 projections of the number of adult recreationists:

60.4 million motorboaters             23.3 million canoers

21.1 million PWC users                20.9 million rafters

19.1 million waterskiers                13.5 million kayakers

11.4 million sailing                         9.7 million rowers   

U.S. Coast Guard, 2009

25.8 million fishing participants were boating

Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation 2009

Economic Figures

$30.8 billion in recreational boating sales and services

 National Marine Manufacturers Association, 2009 report

$21+  billion in recreational boating trip expenditures

Recreational Marine Research   Center ,  2009

$44+ billion total impact value added

Recreational Marine Research   Center ,  2009

18,940 boating businesses

154,300 people employed

National Marine Manufacturers Association, 2009 report

Boating Safety

4,730 boating accidents

736 deaths & 3,358 injuries

$36 million dollars of damage from recreational boating accidents.

U.S. Coast Guard, 2010

 Recreational Boating Statistics

(2009 statistics)

86% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received any boating safety instruction/course.

U.S. Coast Guard, 2010

 Recreational Boating Statistics

(2009 statistics)

76% of anglers boat fishing did not complete a boating safety course.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,  2006

The National Recreation Boating Safety Program performance goal:

2010 - 675 deaths            2011 - 659 deaths

Strategic Plan of the

 National Recreational Boating Safety Program 2007-2011