Boating accidents increase statewide; Lee ranked fifth
By NATHAN MAYBERG / nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com - | May 14, 2021
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released its 2020 boating accident statistical report which showed a 16 percent increase statewide in accidents and a 21.5 percent increase in the number of people who lost their lives in boating accidents.
There were 836 boating accidents across the state last year, up by 113 over 2019. There were 79 people who lost their lives due to a boating accident in 2020.
There were three fatal incidents involving boats for people in Lee County. In Fort Myers Beach, a 45-year-old man drowned after falling off his boat in November. There were also boating accident fatalities reported in the waters off of Bokeelia and Fort Myers in 2020.