Water Safety in Louisiana

In Louisiana, water is never far away: the state has more shoreline than almost any other. Wear a life jacket in every boat, and make sure anyone born after January 1, 1984 has taken Louisiana's boater education course before they drive. The course is free in a classroom or online.

Louisiana's drowning rate is one of the highest on CDC's state map.

Louisiana drowning and boating numbers

2.31 per 100,000

• Drowning: CDC puts Louisiana's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 2.31 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), in the highest band on its map. Only Alaska, Hawaii and Montana were higher.
• Boating: The U.S. Coast Guard counted 92 reportable recreational boating incidents in Louisiana in 2024, with 9 deaths and 65 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 24 in 2020, 27 in 2021, 29 in 2022, 7 in 2023 and 9 in 2024.
• Boats: 286,912 registered vessels in 2024.
• Shoreline: NOAA lists 7,721 miles of official shoreline (opens in a new tab) for Louisiana, counting bays, sounds and tidal rivers. Only Alaska and Florida have more.

The drop in boating deaths after 2022 is welcome, but one or two years don't make a trend. CDC counts drowning deaths of residents; the Coast Guard counts boating incidents. See our Louisiana data page.

Small boats and life jackets

The Coast Guard's 2024 national report shows where boaters drown: where boat length was known, 4 of every 5 boaters who drowned were aboard vessels less than 21 feet in length (opens in a new tab), and where life jacket use was known, 87% of those who drowned were not wearing one.

• Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits, buckled, the whole time you're on the water.
• Leave a float plan with someone on shore.

Read what to do if you fall overboard and fishing safety. Federal law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket on a moving boat (opens in a new tab).

Louisiana boater education

From the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF):

• Who needs it: if you were born after January 1, 1984, you must successfully complete an LDWF-approved boater education course to operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower (opens in a new tab), unless you're accompanied by someone over 18 who has completed one (if required).
• Personal watercraft: the course is also required to operate a personal watercraft, and you must be 16 or older.
• Free course: LDWF offers a free, in-person course that lasts 6 to 8 hours and is usually done in a day, year-round. A free approved online course is also available through BoatUS.org.
• Carry proof: keep your certificate with you, or add a free Boater Education endorsement to your driver's license at the Office of Motor Vehicles.
• Renting: renters of boats over 10 horsepower from a state-approved livery must be at least 18 and watch LDWF's rental safety video, unless they have already taken an approved course.

This is a summary, not legal advice. Check LDWF before you go.

Floodwater

When roads flood, the National Weather Service says over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water (opens in a new tab). Turn around, don't drown. See flash flood safety.

Official Louisiana resources

• LDWF boater education and free courses (opens in a new tab)
• National Weather Service: Turn Around Don't Drown (opens in a new tab)

What you can do today

• Sign up for LDWF's free boater education course if you were born after January 1, 1984.
• Count and fit life jackets for everyone before your next trip, and wear yours.
• Never drive through a flooded road.
• Find lessons with our guide to finding swim lessons.