Sailboats are moored on the Amelia River in Fernandina Beach's historic waterfront district. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
Published on May 18, 2026 at 2:52 pm
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Florida’s increasingly crowded waterways had 694 “reportable” boating accidents in 2025, up from 685 in 2024 and 659 in 2023, according to a state report released Monday.
Included in the annual Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Boating Accident Statistical Report were 51 fatalities that were the results of 41 incidents, down from 81 deaths involving 76 accidents in 2024.
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In Jacksonville, the Sheriff’s Office marine unit handled nearly 1,000 calls for service last year, Lt. Kevin Kilcoyne said during a news conference promoting National Safe Boating Week and Manatee Awareness.
The Sheriff’s Office patrols about 75 square miles of navigable waterways in Duval County. Kilcoyne said officers will step up enforcement this season.
“We will be enforcing the slow speed zones, the manatee protection zones and other applicable laws, including boating under the influence,” Kilcoyne said.
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Nadia Lentz, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said FWC has responded to nine manatee mortalities in Duval County so far this year, including three linked to watercraft.
Jerry Pinto of Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute said recent aerial surveys show “probably in excess of 100 manatees already in the county,” mostly south of the Buckman Bridge. He advised boaters to be vigilant.
Duval County is rated 45th in state in number of boating incidents in 2004, FWC says. About 28,000 boats are registered in Duval County.
A recent report noted 16 boating accidents, seven injuries and two deaths in Duval County.
Fifty-eight percent of the people involved in boating accidents were not wearing personal flotation devices, the report said.
Statewide, Florida has nearly 1.03 million registered vessels, and up to 1 million nonregistered vessels actively using Florida’s waters, according to the FWC report.
“Florida waterways show signs of congestion as each year brings more residents and visitors together to use abundant water resources and enjoy Florida’s boating lifestyle,” the report states.
The commission’s Division of Law Enforcement report listed drowning as the cause of just over half the 2025 deaths; 10 deaths resulted from an individual falling overboard. The next highest cause of death was a collision with a fixed object, with eight.
Most boats involved in a fatal accident were 21 feet or fewer. Most boat operators involved in fatal accidents were aged 35 or older.
Alcohol or drugs played a role in 14% of the boating fatalities.
Personal watercraft, which account for 17% of Florida’s registered vessels, were involved in 12 deaths.
There were 161 accidents involving personal watercraft, accounting for 23% of all “reportable” crashes. Nearly half, 72, of the personal watercraft accidents involved a collision with another vessel.
