newjerseynewsroom.com

BY ALICIA CRUZ

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

A report released by the U.S. Coast Guard Wednesday showed recreational boating fatalities for 2010 fell to an all time national low of 672, but not in New Jersey, where eight people died in boating accidents during last year.

The report stated that the 2010 record reflected four less fatalities than the previous low in 2004, and is 26 deaths lower than the average number for the past 10 years.

"We’re glad to see the numbers decline,” Rear Adm. Kevin Cook, director of Prevention Policy for the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release. “I am optimistic that the number of deaths and injuries can continue to be reduced further because of the strong commitment to safe boating from our partners in the states, non-government advocacy groups, and the boating industry.”

The Press of Atlantic City reports the decline could reflect fewer boaters, a statement the Coast Guard agreed with. In 2010, the number of registered boats in the U.S. decreased by 2 percent to 12.4 million.

The eight boating related deaths in New Jersey during 2010 equaled the number of deaths in 2007, and were two more than in 2009, and two less than 2008. There were 11 deaths in 2006. So far, there have been no deaths on New Jersey's waters for 2011.

The U.S. Coast Guard credits boating safety courses, boat inspections and education with the 2010 descent. In addition to the safety courses, Robert Babezki, a public affairs officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 81 out of Ocean City, said the agency has also placed a strong emphasis on wearing life jackets, the Press of Atlantic City reported.

The report showed that less than eight percent of adults don life jackets, while the number of youths wearing life jackets climbed nationally to nearly 68 percent. New Jersey boaters are mandated by law to take boating safety courses. Coast Guard Cmdr. Terry Johns said the Coast Guard is moving more toward mandatory inspections instead of making them voluntary. Such inspections can find all types of safety problems.

The Coast Guard press release stated the top five primary contributing factors in accidents are operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol use, which has proven to be a leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, and is listed as the leading factor in 19% of the reported deaths.

In July 2010, Jijo Puthuvamkunnath, of Bergenfield died when his 17-foot Bayliner was struck near the Statue of Liberty by a 30-foot ProLine craft piloted by Richard Aquilone of Jersey City. Aquilone, whose blood alcohol level was .06, below the legal limit, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, the NY Daily News reported. The 39-year-old Manhattan financial equity firm partner was boating with his three young children and a woman when he hit 30-year-old Puthuvamkunnath's boat.