As motorboat racing is a dangerous sport, many individuals (including drivers, crew members, officials and spectators) have been killed in crashes related to the sport, either in a race, in qualifying, in practice or a private testing session. For example, in offshore powerboat racing, one racer dies each year from accidents. Although a push for safety in recent years has led to the decrease in deaths and serious injuries as closed cockpits, safety cells and harnesses more common in automobile racing have become more common among the top and fastest classes.
Whilst being the 2nd from last with the highest number of fatal accidents of the four parimutuel betting sports in Japan, 34 drivers (including one trainee) have lost their lives since the first death in 1953. This is caused by collisions with the quay or one of the competing boats. It is estimated that there is one death for every 2 years.
Kyà Âtei boats, which are similar to C Stock Hydro (APBA) or OSY 400 (UIM) in specifications worldwide, do not feature seat belts, safety capsules, or other forms of required safety devices such as flotation devices and oxygen masks, which are required in most powerboat classes (offshore, F1H20, H1 Unlimited) after a series of early 1980's Unlimited Hydroplane fatalities.