Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013 - 46

Recap of 2012 Pennsylvania
Boating Fatalities
by Ryan C. Walt

Boating and Watercraft Safety Manager, Bureau of Boating & Outreach
In 2012, nine recreational boating accidents resulted in 11 fatalities.
This is 11 fewer fatalities than the number reported in 2011 and
below the last 10-year average of 12.8 victims. Factoring in the 2012
fatalities, Pennsylvania’s new 10-year average is 13 victims. Only three
of the 11 victims were wearing a life jacket at the time of the mishap
that resulted in death. Seven of the 11 victims were not wearing a life
jacket but did have one onboard the boat.
The recap below is a summary of all fatal recreational boating
accidents in Pennsylvania last year, and is intended to provide
information to illustrate the importance of safe boating practices
and to help improve boating safety in the Commonwealth.
1. 1 Fatality
Susquehanna River, Lancaster County, 1/28/12,
10:45 p.m., Saturday
A 24-year-old male paddler lost his life when his kayak
capsized. The victim was paddling with a friend to an
island on the Susquehanna River where they had previously
camped. They encountered rough waters, and the victim’s
kayak overturned. His friend tried to assist, but the victim
panicked and pulled his friend into the water. The friend
then swam to shore and called 911 and last witnessed the
victim holding onto his kayak as it floated downstream.
The victim’s body was recovered March 11. Both paddlers
were wearing approved life jackets and had over 500 hours
of paddling experience but had no formal instruction in
boating safety. The water temperature was 38 degrees F, so
hypothermia or sudden immersion into cold water (cold
water shock) may have been factors.
2. 1 Fatality
Driscoll Pond, Sullivan County, 3/20/12,
8:30 p.m., Tuesday
A 31-year-old male lost his life when he fell overboard
off his 12-foot open motorboat while standing up in the
boat. The passengers onboard tried pulling the victim
from the water and into the bow of the small craft. Due to
the increased weight in the bow of the boat and improper
loading, the vessel took on water and capsized within
seconds. When the vessel capsized, the victim and the other
two passengers entered the water. One of the passengers
attempted to save the victim, a reported non-swimmer, but
was unable to swim to the boat while aiding the victim. The

During last year’s National Safe Boating Week
Celebration at the State Capitol Building, the
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission promoted the
importance of wearing life jackets. Each year, on average,
700 people die in boating-related accidents nationwide.
Nearly 80 percent of the victims were not wearing life
jackets. Pictured are (left to right) Board President
Steven M. Ketterer, PFBC Executive Director John A.
Arway, State Representative Keith Gillespie and PFBC
Bureau of Boating & Outreach Director Laurel Anders.

victim was not wearing a life jacket, and there were no life
jackets found on board the vessel. Alcohol use and sudden
immersion into cold water (cold water shock) may have
been factors. The victim was an experienced boater but had
no formal instruction in boating safety.
3. 1 Fatality
Allegheny River, Warren County, 5/19/12,
5:30 p.m., Saturday
A 32-year-old male lost his life after the rented 10-foot
kayak he was paddling capsized. The victim was unable
to recover and started screaming for help. The three other
kayakers with whom he was paddling were approximately
150 yards away and unable to assist due to the swift
current. The victim was last seen going under the water.
His body was recovered six days later. The victim was not
wearing a life jacket, but there was a life jacket on board
the vessel. Alcohol use and sudden immersion into cold
water (cold water shock) may have been factors. The
victim was a novice boater and had no formal instruction
in boating safety.

www.WearItPennsylvania.com
46

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May/June 2013

PFBC Facebook: PaFishandBoat
http://www.WearItPennsylvania.com http://www.WearItPennsylvania.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2013
