More boats, but no rise in accidents on Czech waterways

Despite rising boat traffic on Czech waterways, the number of boating accidents has remained stable, according to figures released by the State Navigation Administration on Wednesday.

The authority recorded 21 boating accidents last year and six so far this year, none of them serious. Although the number of recreational vessels has roughly doubled in recent years, annual accident figures have remained largely unchanged.

The increase in boat traffic has prompted more police patrols on rivers and reservoirs, with officers focusing on prevention and compliance with navigation rules. More than 71,000 people in Czechia are now licensed to operate small recreational vessels, and around 3,500 new licences are issued each year.