I think the high profile names from the boating world that have been lost in the last few weeks is bringing it to our attention more this year. Definitely the OSO forums.

I was just reading an article in Boat US mag regarding the accidents. While deaths had dropped to record lows in 2007, boating accidents climbed. Of course, property damages rose to record levels as well. Alcohol use and operator inattention lead the charts for causes as usual. No surprises there.

I assume this year's reports will show declines, since at least half the country had such bad boating weather, and the fuel costs were a deterrent to many.

If you focus only on the deaths that occured in races or poker runs it's alarming to me.
ed