Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) reports show there have been 18 boating accidents in Baldwin County through Friday, July 12, including five injuries, one fatality and $144,001 in property damage.

Baldwin County saw 29 total boating accidents and $205,856 in total property damage during 2023, without any fatalities (there were 18 injuries). ALEA did not provide additional comment or context into the rate of accidents and property damage this year so far upon request.

Gulf Coast Media also inquired about the number of Gulf drownings to this point in 2024; ALEA officials say the Marine Patrol Division is still working to fully implement a program to record all drowning incidents that occur on Alabama's waterways. Tracking these statistics requires the cooperation of local agencies, and ALEA isn't always notified when these events occur.

"Please know that ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division is always looking for new and innovative ways to gather and collect information/data that will enable the entire community of first responders surrounding Alabama’s waterways to be more effective and efficient in their ability to respond to and prevent negative marine-related incidents across the entire state," Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said in an email.