Northeast boating deaths for 2010 a record-breaker

BOSTON – Al Johnson of Lynn, recreational boating safety specialist for the First Coast Guard District in Boston, says the number of deaths on the water since the year began is sobering.With the deaths of two Massachusetts women last week off the coast of Rhode Island, the tally among recreational boaters and paddlers reached 21 – the highest ever.Yet another victim was added to the list Sunday when his canoe capsized at Hopkinton State Park. Relatives identifed the drowned man as Sydney Bereira of Milford. State Police divers found his body in Hopkinton Reservoir.Based on Johnson’s data, six kayakers and five canoeists accounted for 11 fatalities as of last week, while motorized vessels made up the remainder.”Sadly, during the past decade on the waters of the Northeast, we’ve averaged 50-53 boating and paddling fatalities per year,” said Johnson. “The majority of these deaths could have been prevented if the victim had worn a lifejacket. When you have this many predictable deaths that are so easily preventable, it’s not just sad, it’s tragic.”Nationwide, an average 700 people die each year in boating and paddling accidents. About 70 percent drown. Of those, nine out of 10 were not wearing a life preserver.”The single most important piece of survival equipment on the water is your lifejacket,” Johnson said.The uptick in deaths so far this year contrast with 2009 when the total number of boating and paddling fatalities in Massachusetts plunged.According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a decrease was recorded in 2009 for the third consecutive year. There were 55 fatalities in 2008 and 58 in 2007.