Charlotte County is ranked as one of Florida’s leading counties when it comes to boating accidents. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, nearly two thirds- 64 percent- of all boating accidents in Florida occur in only 11 counties. Lee and Collier are ranked fifth and seventh, respectively, while Charlotte is ranked 10th. According to the Boat U.S. Foundation, almost half of all boating accidents involve alcohol. The US Coast Guard adds that alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. The Coast Guard also found 77 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Only 13 percent occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally approved boating safety education certificate.