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Written question asked by Hugh Robertson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 July 2006. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 10 July 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Boats (Blood Alcohol Limits)

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Marine Accident Investigation Board has made of the number of people (a) killed and (b) injured in (i) recreational and (ii) non-recreational marine craft in each of the past five years; and in how many of these cases alcohol was identified as a contributory factor.
Answer

The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2005 only place a requirement to report accidents involving recreational craft if they are being commercially operated. However, the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents may investigate accidents involving privately-owned craft if they are brought to his attention.Details of all accidents reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch are contained on its database. Statistics for deaths and injuries for both recreational and non-recreational craft for the past five years are shown in the following table:

Recreational craft (non-commercial) All other vessels
Deaths Injuries Deaths Injuries
2001 3 2 23 651
2002 8 4 27 647
2003 12 10 22 673
2004 3 25 22 647
2005 24 35 22 551

The second table contains numbers of deaths and injuries where alcohol was positively identified as a contributory factor:

Recreational craft (non-commercial) All other vessels
Deaths Injuries Deaths Injuries
2001 2 — 2 12
2002 — — — 14
2003 1 — 1 18
2004 — 3 — 14
2005 5 3 5 17

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
83517; 448 c1416-7W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Alcoholic drinks Boating
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk