Fishing, or commercial fishing to be exact, is ranked as the most dangerous job in the United States of America in terms of yearly fatalities. This might not come as a surprise if you are a fan of the reality television series, Deadliest Catch. What might surprise you, however, is that the Alaskan crab fishermen in the series do not have the same risks on the job as their peers in the Northeastern United States.

The deadliest job, according to statistics kept by the Bureau of Labor, is working in the fishery industry in the American Northeast. How deadly? A worker in the groundfish fishery in the Atlantic runs nearly 40 times the risk of a fatality at work than a police officer.

What if you’re a sport fisherman vs. a professional?  Although hobby fishing is far less dangerous there are still inherent risks in any fishing regardless of the boat, area or catch.

The most dangerous – accidents on a fishing boat:

1. Falling overboard (no life jacket)
2. Onboard injuries (usually involving heavy overhead equipment)
3. Capsizing
4. Catching fire
5. Sinking

According to statistics gathered from 2000 to 2009, not one fatal drowning victim wore a life jacket. The problem is that while all boats are required to have personal flotation devices, there is no guarantee that those on board will wear life jackets or have training in safety measures.

Among recreational boaters, the leading cause of death is drowning – again – without a life jacket. Onboard fires, capsizing, and sinking are risks for those with boats or yachts used for recreational fishing as well.

When faced with an accident on a commercial or recreational fishing vessel, having insufficient boat insurance or yacht insurance coverage can be a huge financial strain. Aside from the cost of any damage to the boat and personal effects, the tow or wreckage fees and fuel or oil pollution fines can cause significant financial distress.