JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida was the leading state in the country for deadly boating accidents in 2015, according to the U.S. Coast Guard's latest Recreational Boating Safety Statistics Report.
The Coast Guard also found alcohol was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.
With summer approaching, News4Jax went on a ride-along Monday with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to learn how to stay safe on the water.
Holidays, such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day, are the busiest days out on the water -- and the deadliest, FWC officials said.
READ: Coast Guard's 2015 Recreational Boating Statistics Report
Memorial Day weekend kicks off boating season, and the month of June sees the most boating deaths followed by July, according to the Coast Guard.
"Boat operators, keep your head on a swivel out and scan constantly," said Roland Green, with FWC. "Occupants on the boat, make sure that the operator has a clear vision. Sometimes these accidents happen because he's got a lot of people and his vision is impaired."
Green said an accident can happen in an instant, which is why it's so important to wear a life jacket.
The Coast Guard report shows the most common way to die while boating is drowning -- out of the 428 deaths recorded in 2015, 352 were not wearing a life vest.
"The water is unforgiving," Green said. "(It) doesn't matter how old you are and who you are, you don't know how to swim or do have the water in your unconscious. More than likely, you are going to drown."
Green said his job with FWC is not to harass people, but to make sure they aren't putting themselves or other boaters in danger.
"Oh, yeah. We already ran into a couple of idiots," boater Alissa Loatman said Monday.
But FWC said the main violation it sees is people not having the proper number of the life vests on board.
"Every day before we leave, my wife, we make sure that we have seven vests," said boat operator Randy Hyatt. "We always have a floatable. Sometimes, we have an extra vest if someone else on the water needs one. (We) make sure we have rope on the boat. If somebody calls me, I need to help them. Don't drive stupid. Just relax and enjoy the water."
Hyatt also offered some advice for unexperienced boaters.
"Take your time at the boat ramp. Take your time in the water. Pay attention to what you're doing. Know where you're at all the time," Hyatt said.
For those who are not very experienced boaters or haven't been on the water in a while, check out the FWC website for boating safety and education information.