In the Tin Can Bay region, like elsewhere in Queensland, the number of people owning boats and participating in recreational boating activities is rapidly increasing.

For example, the Bay to Bay race from Tin Can Bay to Hervey Bay started in 1980 with a reported fleet of 114 yachts.

In 2004, the fleet numbered 180 yachts - a 58 percent increase in this feature event.

This growth is consistent with trends and statistics record by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ).

As at April 2006, MSQ reported more than 200,000 registered vessels in the state. That's approximately one registered vessel for every 20 Queenslanders. The rate of vessel registration is continuing to increase, typically by 5 percent per year, and is far outstripping the population growth.

Interestingly, in Queensland only vessels with a 4 horsepower motor or more must be registered. So the actual number of vessels operating in our waterways is significantly higher than the number of vessels registered.