Boating Saftey, Alaska State Parks Boating Safety With over 33,000 miles of shoreline, more than 3,000 rivers, and over 3 million lakes, Alaska is a boater's paradise. But, unfortunately, Alaska has the highest boating fatality rate in the nation.
Alaskan boaters are often a long way from assistance and the water is very cold.
An unprepared boater is taking unnecessary risks. Most fatalities are due to hypothermia related drowning, following an unexpected immersion in cold water. Expert swimmers are powerless against the rapid onset of immersion hypothermia. It's the law for kids under 13. Most boating fatalities are a result of a sudden capsize or fall overboard.