FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reported a sharp decline in boating accidents in 2002, including a 50-percent decline in accidents involving personal watercraft as compared to 2001.

There were 13 boating accidents in Delaware in 2002, compared to 24 by the same time last year. PWC were involved in only 3 of those accidents, compared with 6 in 2001.

Master Corporal Joyce Hennessey of the Office of Boating Safety & Education, cites Delaware's mandatory education program, instituted in 1994, as the primary reason for the decline.

"Boater safety education definitely contributed to the decline in PWC accidents. We work with rental agencies to train employees to stress just how important boating safety really is," said Hennessey.

PWC accidents have declined steadily since the introduction of the education plan. In 1995, there were 19 accidents involving PWC. That number has been reduced to three during the 2002 boating season. There has never been a fatality involving a PWC in Delaware.

"PWC owners support mandatory education," said Stephan Andranian, spokesperson for the American Watercraft Association. "We want to see it in every state because it does reduce accidents."