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Canoe & Kayak
Accident Statistics
- Note: During the 12/05/06
BAC meeting it was stated that of the 12 non-motorized vessel fatalities in
2005, 8 were jonboats, 4 were canoes, and 0 were kayaks. Scroll to bottom
for accident reports. Reports add up to 6 fatalities for canoes. Confirming
data and once done will update this page.
- There have been various allegations about the Florida accident statistics for
canoes and kayak, especially with regard to fatalities. Fortunately, factual
statistics are available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website
at http://myfwc.com/law/boating/.
Here is a brief summary:
2004 - 62 fatalities involving 73 vessels. Five involved canoes or kayaks
2003 - 58 fatalities involving 69 vessels. Four involved canoes or kayaks
2002 - 48 fatalities involving 62 vessels. One involved canoes or kayaks
2001 - 48 fatalities involving 57 vessels. Three involved canoes or kayaks
2000 - 43 fatalities involving 51 vessels. Three involved canoes or kayaks
Now here are the statistics for all types of reported accidents.
- Year Total
Canoe& Percent of
- Accidents
Kayak Total Accidents
1997 1251
3 0.2
1998 1282
5 0.4
1999 1292
2 0.1
2000 1194
6 0.5
2001 1093
8 0.7
2002 1159
4 0.3
2003 1005
10 0.9
2004 743 7 0.9
Yours truly,
Douglas H. Sphar
135 Bel-Aire Dr
Merritt Island, FL 32952
For more information go to
http://myfwc.com/law/boating/
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Date: November 17,
2005
County: Pinellas County
Body of Water: Safety Harbor
Victim(s): 1
On November 17,
2005, the owner/operator of a canoe departed from the Philippe Park Boat
Ramp in Pinellas County around 1:30 p.m. The canoe was found capsized
around three miles to the south of the boat ramp along the Courtney
Campbell Causeway. The canoe drifted unoccupied and did not capsize
until rough sea conditions pushed the canoe back onto the rocks. This
account was verified by witnesses. The body of the victim was found on
November 20, 2005. The owner/operator was not wearing a life jacket. The
cause of death was determined to be drowning |
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Date: October
16, 2005
County: Orange
Body of Water: Lake Susannah
Victim(s): 1
On October 16,
2005, around 8:30 a.m., the victim and passenger were positioned
about 20 feet from the shoreline in a canoe on Lake Susannah in
Orange County. They both stood up in the canoe and lost their
balance which caused the canoe to capsize forcing both subjects into
the water. The passenger swam to the shore and turned around and
noticed the victim struggling in the water. The passenger observed
the victim go under water and that was the last time he saw him.
The passenger then swam to the last place he saw him and attempted
to locate him under the water. He then flagged down another boater
who called “911”. The Orlando Fire Department responded and located
the victim’s body around 10:20 a.m. The cause of death was
determined to be drowning. The victim was not wearing a life
jacket. |
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Date: August
29, 2005
County: Lee
Body of Water: San Carlos Bay
Victim(s): 1
On August 29,
2005, a Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call of an
abandoned sailboard in the vicinity of the Sanibel Causeway toll
booth in Lee County. While on scene he received a call of a body
floating in the same area. It was determined that the sailboard was
being operated in heavy weather and the victim was not wearing a
life jacket. The Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death to be
drowning. |
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Date: April 11,
2005
County: Citrus
Body of Water: Private Lake
Victim(s): 1
On Monday, April
11, at around 6:30 p.m. the victim was fishing from a canoe behind
his residence in Citrus County. Somehow the vessel capsized, and
the victim ended up in the water. Neighbors reported hearing
someone calling for help but did not see the victim. He apparently
tried to get back to the dock through thick lily pads but drowned
approximately 20 feet from the dock. There was only a throwable
life preserver found in the water near where the canoe capsized.
The Citrus County dive team found the victim deceased the following
morning at 9:35 a.m. The Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death
as drowning. |
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Date: February
26, 2005
County: Dixie
Body of Water: Gulf of Mexico
Victim(s): 2
On February 26,
2005, between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., a school group consisting of
eight students and two adults launched three canoes, three kayaks,
and a motor-powered raft with the intent to travel to Coon Island
and camp. Coon Island is located about one mile west of the mouth
of the Suwannee River. While traveling towards the island, the
group of boats got somewhat apart. Approximately one-half mile from
Coon Island, the motor failed on the motorized raft and all the
vessels rafted off to the disabled vessel except a green canoe
occupied by the two missing juveniles. The group observed what they
believed to be a blinking light of a flashlight from the vessel just
Northwest of Cat Island. The adult group leader and one student
left the raft of boats and traveled by canoe towards the light they
had observed. Approximately ten minutes later they lost sight of
the light and eventually became disoriented themselves in the
darkness. The group leader continued to paddle for several hours
until he was able to gain cell phone service. He telephoned his
wife, who advised USCG of the situation. USCG responded and located
the raft of vessels approximately seven miles offshore and retrieved
five students and one of the adults. The group leader and another
student were also located shortly after from a canoe. Search
efforts are ongoing in attempt to locate the missing vessel occupied
by the two juveniles. The group of students and adults are from the
North Georgia area. The two victims were located two days later.
The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as hypothermia. Both
victims were wearing life jackets. |
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