Boating accident data for 2012 now available

Labor Day is just around the corner, and we all know that boating enthusiasts (and wannabes) are getting as much boating in as possible before it gets too cold. Hence, the NICAR database library is releasing the latest year (2012) of the Coast Guard's U.S. Recreational Boat Accident Database.

WHAT'S IN IT?
This database includes accident reports from 1969 through 2012. Accidents involving death, serious injury, the disappearance of a person under circumstances that indicate death or injury, total vessel loss or vessel damage of more than $2,000 are reported. The data include information on the nature of the accident, the vessels involved, plus any injuries and/or deaths. See the record layoutson each of the four tables for more detailed information. 

The data are submitted annually by state; however, some states have declined to allow the Coast Guard to release their information in recent years. Please check the state listing by year here.  

WHAT FORMAT?
The tables in the Boat Accident Database come in .dbf (dBase) format, easily imported into Access and other database managers. If you'd like something different, contact us and we'll do our best to help you out.  Email datalib@ire.org or call (573) 884-7711.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT?
The Recreational Boat Accident Database allows reporters to find information about the vessels, people and conditions involved in the accident. For example: where was the accident, what caused it, what was the total damage, how many boats were involved, how many people were injured, etc. Because of the simplicity of this database, it is a good one for beginning CAR reporters to use.

To order the full data online, visit the online store at https://www.ire.org/nicar/database-library/databases/boating-accidents/ or contact the library.
datalib@ire.org
(573) 884-7711

Call or email with questions, or to chat with Nicole Pasulka, our fantastic summer Google Fellow.