Alcohol causes a quarter of boat deaths: study

A study into Australian boating fatalities has revealed that alcohol is behind more than a quarter of fatal accidents.

The study looked at boating fatalities between 1999 and 2004 when 241 people died in Australian waters.

It found that human error was behind nearly 75 per cent of those accidents, and that one in four victims had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

Maurene Horder from the National Marine Safety Committee says the findings should serve as a warning to other boat users.

"it really is quite alarming and it's a bit of a wake-up call I think for all of us," she said.

Study launched

Meanwhile a nationwide study has been launched to test how boating accidents are linked with the amount of time recreational boat users spend on the water.

The study was unveiled at a maritime safety conference in Adelaide today, and will require about 4,000 volunteers across Australia.

Volunteers will be asked to keep a diary of their recreational boating habits over a period of 18 months.

Researchers will use the findings to help improve water safety.

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