Texas was No. 4 in boating accidents and No. 2 in boating fatalities nationally in 2016 -- the most recent annual statistics available -- with 176 and 53, respectively, according to the National Safe Boating Council.
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four of every five recreational boating fatalities across the country, and 83 percent of those were reported as not wearing life jackets.
The National Safe Boating Council will kick off its 60th annual Safe Boating Campaign promoting safe boating and life jackets with National Safe Boating Week, May 19-25.
"For those headed out on the water, what looks like a perfect day for boating can quickly become hazardous," the council says.