St. Johns County’s increasingly busy roadways pose hazards for drivers, but our local waterways pose their own hazards.
St. Johns County recorded more boating accidents in 2024 than any other county in the Jacksonville area, making it the only local county to rank in the top 10 for boating crashes statewide, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The county reported 21 boating accidents last year — a notable figure given that Duval County, with significantly more registered boats, had fewer reported incidents.
St. Johns’ crash rate stood at one accident per 831 registered boats, while Duval County’s rate was one per 1,967 boats.
Of the 21 accidents in St. Johns County, 14 resulted in injuries, and three were fatal.
The most common cause, both locally and across the state, was collision with a fixed object, which accounted for nearly one-third of all boating accidents.
Duval County, home to Jacksonville and the region’s largest population, has not appeared in the state’s top 10 for boating accidents since 2017, when it logged 25 incidents.
Statewide, boating accidents totaled 685 in 2024, a 3.9% hike over the previous year.
The state saw a pandemic-era spike in 2020, with 836 accidents, followed by a gradual decline until the recent uptick.
Florida remains the nation’s top state for registered recreational boats, with over 1 million vessels cruising its waterways.
With 15 free public boat ramps and a mix of coastal and inland waterways, St. Johns draws significant boating activity, which may help explain its higher accident rate.
As summer boating season ramps up, FWC officials urge all boaters to wear life jackets, complete safety courses, and stay alert to reduce the risk of accidents on the water.
