Boating and watercraft drowning deaths

The Royal Life Saving Society has just released the report, Boating and watercraft drowning deaths: 10 year analysis report, which shows that 473 people drown in Australian waterways between 2005 and 2015,

Males accounted for 92% of all boating and watercraft related drowning deaths, even higher than the annual percentage of all male drowning deaths (83%) for 2015/16,  Almost one fifth of boating and watercraft drowning deaths (19%) occurred in people over the age of 65 years. Drowning occurred whilst fishing (28%) and when moving (27%), and most often in small powered boats under 5 meters or paddle craft. The study found that only 8% of people were wearing a lifejacket at the time of death, 31% had consumed drugs, of which 31% were illegal drugs; 26% of people had alcohol in their system, with 59% above the legal driving limit.