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Tennessee boating deaths in 2022 near record high

With 27 boating fatalities reported at the start of November, Tennessee could potentially see another record-high year of boating deaths. The state has reported 31 boating-related deaths three times: in 1996, 2004, and 2020. The Tennessee Wildlife resources Agency is concerned with the recent upward trend of boating deaths with up to 30% of deaths reported in the past year having intoxication as a contributing factor. The state is also seeing an increase number of boaters on out the water in the fall and winter as well as a boom in boat sales are also contributing to the increase in deaths.