Epidemiology of board-related incidents in the Portuguese National Maritime Authority’s Jurisdiction (2020-2023): a cross-sectional study

Ourique, Matilde; Alves, Tatiana; Aniceto, Carlos; Dias, Carlos Matias; Mendes, Pedro Marques; Fernandes, João Ferraz; Correia, Diana Martins; Gaio, Vânia

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/10710

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
34-Ourique et al, 2025.pdf		4.73 MB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Mendes, Pedro Marques

Fernandes, João Ferraz

Correia, Diana Martins

Gaio, Vânia

Abstract(s)

Background: Portugal’s favourable conditions for water-based recreational activities (WRA) often lead to incidents requiring intervention by the National Maritime Authority (AMN). Despite being documented in the SEGMAR database, participant profiles and severity factors, particularly for water-board-related incidents (BRIs), remain underexplored. This study aims to profile individuals involved in BRIs, identify determinants of severe incidents, and examine key clusters within the AMN’s jurisdiction from 2020 to 2023. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study analysed 14,456 WRA incidents from the SEGMAR database. BRIs included activities involving water-boards (e.g., surfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing) and collisions with waterboards. Severe BRIs were defined as incidents causing injuries, fatalities, or disappearances. Sociodemographic, temporal, and spatial factors were analysed using descriptive analysis and Quasi-Poisson regression to estimate frequency ratios (FR). Cluster analysis identified at-risk groups, and the severe to non-severe BRIs ratio was mapped by captaincy and municipality. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: BRIs made up 11.9% of all incidents, occurring more often among men, individuals aged 15–55, and foreigners, especially outside the bathing season and in unsupervised areas (p<0.001). Severe BRIs were linked to winter (FR 1.92; 95% CI 1.15–3.19), nighttime (FR 2.0; 95% CI 1.6–2.6), dawn (FR 1.6; 95% CI 1.3–2.0), and the bathing season (FR 1.9; 95% CI 1.3–2.7). Clusters revealed at-risk groups: children under 14 at patrolled beaches in summer evenings, men over 55 at unpatrolled areas in autumn, and young females at unpatrolled beaches in winter. Seven captaincies and 20 municipalities had a severe to non-severe BRIs ratio above 1. Conclusion: BRIs predominantly affect men, young adults, and foreigners. Key risk factors include extreme ages, non-summer seasons, unsupervised areas, and low-light conditions. Targeted interventions, such as adjusting lifeguard schedules to cover high-risk times, promoting safety campaigns for children and older adults, and reinforcing safety infrastructure at unpatrolled beaches, might be important to mitigate risks and reduce incident severity.

Key messages: Recreational water-board-related incidents (BRIs) are more frequent during summer and bathing seasons but also occur year-round, especially in winter and spring. -Severe BRIs are linked to unpatrolled beaches, dawn and night hours, and adverse weather conditions. -Children (<15 years), older adults (>55 years), males, and foreigners are at higher risk of severe BRIs. -Clusters highlight distinct profiles: young females at unpatrolled beaches in winter and male children at patrolled beaches during school breaks. -Enhanced safety protocols and targeted preventive measures are needed to reduce incident frequency and severity.

Keywords

BRIs Incidents Maritime Surveillance Systems National Maritime Authority Recreational Incidents Safety Determinantes da Saúde e da Doença Estados de Saúde e de Doença Portugal