SALEM, OR -- The number of people killed in recreational boating incidents declined in 2023. But the Oregon Marine Board still says 14 is too many fatalities, and most were preventable. In 2022, 16 people were killed in recreational boating incidents. 

Brian Paulsen, OMB's Boating Safety Program Manager, says 12 of last year's victims weren’t wearing a life jacket. "Historically, across the country, 80% of fatalities are drownings because the victim wasn’t wearing a life jacket. And Oregon is very consistent in that." Another victim was wearing a life jacket, but he hadn't been properly maintained. "The victim was wearing an inflatable life jacket that did not inflate," says Paulsen, "They are a mechanical device that needs to be maintained. And if they’re not, then they’re not going to save a life." He adds, "Usually, they don’t have the CO2 cartridge installed correctly, which is the case on the fatality in 2023." The 14th victim was wearing a life jacket, but was swept into a "rock strainer" by the swift current.

Eight people drowned due to capsizing, "And oftentimes the boat was overloaded," says Paulsen, "And if the boat wasn’t overloaded, they were boating in conditions that were not safe to be boating, where the boat was swamped by water."

Paulsen says the marine board launched an initiative last year, encouraging users of standup paddleboards to take safety measures, "And I’m happy to say that in 2023, there was not a standup paddleboard fatality in Oregon associated with recreational boating." It’s the first time in five years no standup paddleboard users died in Oregon. Paulsen says it’s been tough to overpower popular culture, "There’s a lot of great tourism people promoting recreation where there’s no life jacket being worn on a standup paddleboard or a kayak, with a very scenic background. And people go out and try to emulate that."

Photo of a standup paddleboard user without a life jacket courtesy Visit Bend