The leading cause of death in boating accidents in Florida is drowning, primarily due to falling overboard and the failure to wear life jackets. Reports from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other sources consistently show that drowning accounts for the majority of fatalities, with about 62-64% of boating deaths attributed to it

. Key contributing factors include:

• Not wearing life jackets: Nearly 80-85% of drowning victims were not wearing life jackets at the time of the accident, which significantly increases the risk of fatality

• Alcohol use: Impaired judgment and coordination due to alcohol consumption is a major factor in many fatal boating accidents, contributing to about 11-23% of deaths

• Operator inexperience and negligence: Lack of proper training, operator error, and inattentiveness also lead to accidents resulting in drowning

• Other causes such as collisions, speeding, and adverse weather conditions can lead to situations where drowning occurs, but drowning remains the primary cause of death

In summary, drowning caused by falling overboard without life jackets, often compounded by alcohol use and operator error, is the leading cause of death in Florida boating accidents. This highlights the critical importance of wearing life jackets and avoiding alcohol while boating to reduce fatalities.