What is the cause of most fatal boating accidents? Bad weather Operator error Equipment defects Poor boat design

## Step 1<br />The question is asking for the primary cause of most fatal boating accidents. The options provided are: Bad weather, Operator error, Equipment defects, and Poor boat design.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the leading cause of boating accidents is operator error. This includes errors such as inattention, reckless or careless operation, and failure to follow navigation rules.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />While bad weather, equipment defects, and poor boat design can contribute to boating accidents, they are not the primary cause.