I think you'll agree that the American people get a good return on their investment of 20 cents per person that it takes to run the agency annually. As a result of its investigations into recreational boating accidents, the Board has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve boating safety. But, we all know that more needs to be done. Recreational boating sales continue to increase. The number of boats reported by the States to the Coast Guard has increased by more than 400,000 in the last two years.
Accidents also continue to increase.
There were more than 8,000 last year, an increase of nearly 33 percent from six years ago. Unfortunately, our waterways are becoming as congested and deadly as our highways. We must be willing to aggressively protect the safety of those traveling on our rivers and lakes as we do those traveling on our interstates and streets. That's why I'm here tonight. I want to talk to you about the latest Board report on a recreational boating accident because I believe it will have far-reaching significance for the entire recreational boating community as the facts become known and our recommendations are implemented.