A personal watercraft is a type of boat that can be driven by an individual. Personal watercraft are designed to carry only the driver plus one other adult passenger. How safe are these things? Personal watercraft have been around for over four decades now, so we think they’re pretty safe. But safety is always important when driving any vehicle, no matter what kind it may be. With this in mind, let’s take a look at which action is safest for your personal watercraft.
Which Action is Safe for a PWC?
1) Towing a skier behind a PWC rated for 3 people with two persons on board;
2) Shutting off the engine before cleaning debris from the pump intake, or
3) Seating a child too small to hold on the operator in front of the operator.
In case you are wondering, the correct answer is “Shutting off the engine before cleaning debris from the pump intake.” That action is the best way to keep a personal watercraft safe and make sure no one onboard gets hurt. Each of the other actions can result in injuries, even death if done incorrectly.
Let’s take a moment to explore why shutting off the engine is safer than towing a skier or having an extra passenger on board. First of all, while it is true that you may be able to tow a skier behind your PWC even with an extra person on board, this can result in serious injury or death if you aren’t careful. If you don’t have the proper training or experience to tow a skier, it’s best not to do it.
Safety practices for a PWC
Although there are many differences between a boat and a PWC, safety is something that both vessels share in common. With this similarity in mind, let’s take a look at how to stay safe while driving your personal watercraft.
It’s a good idea to check your state’s regulations before driving your PWC. Each state has its own specific laws that must be followed. You may need to have a driver’s license before you can drive your PWC. You may need to register your personal watercraft, either as an owner of the vessel or as someone who is renting it.
The most important safety measure is staying alert and not become distracted while you are driving. Remember, if you aren’t alert and pay attention to what you are doing, it can be difficult to recover from an unexpected situation or boating accident.
Use your life jacket. If you are ever in an accident while driving a PWC, it is important to stay afloat to increase your chances of survival. The best way to do this is to wear a life jacket.
Make sure you stay in the right location when driving your personal watercraft. This means following all applicable traffic laws and being aware of other boaters around you. Watch out for powerboats, fishing vessels, swimmers, and beachgoers. If there are people on the water, make sure you stay far away from them. It’s best if you can avoid driving directly over anyone.
It can be very easy to get too close to something or someone if you are not paying attention. Because PWCs are so agile and responsive, they respond to even the slightest pressure on the controls, which means that it only takes a little movement from you to make the PWC turn or move.
Never drive your personal watercraft while impaired. Even if you are on a calm, open lake and there is no one around for miles, it’s best to refrain from driving drunk. If you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, even in the slightest way, it is never safe to operate any kind of boat, including a PWC.
A passenger should never be seated in the bow. This can be very dangerous to the passenger and may cause problems for your PWC’s balance. In addition to the risk of injury, it may be difficult for you to control your PWC while someone is in the bow. It’s a good idea to save that seat for yourself so you have an unobstructed view of where you are going and what is around you.
When you are on your personal watercraft, the pump intake area should be kept clear of any obstruction to keep the engine working properly and prevent debris from getting sucked into its workings.
Keep yourself away from the pump intake area to avoid bodily injury. Keep hands and feet inside the boat at all times.
Make sure you read the owner’s manual for your personal watercraft. This will tell you how to operate the vehicle safely and what to do in case of an emergency.
Wear proper clothing when driving your personal watercraft. If you are in a cooler climate, it’s a good idea to wear protective gear such as gloves (for handling the controls), a long-sleeved shirt (to offer protection in case of an accident), a life jacket, and a wet suit. In warmer weather, you should also wear a long-sleeved shirt and a wet suit.
Always check your PWC before taking it out on the water or putting it away for the night. This includes checking all equipment to ensure that you are operating a safe PWC. Be sure to check for cracks in the body, worn straps, cracked or shattered lights, and other flaws. If your personal watercraft is defective and you have an accident as a result, you could be held responsible.
While some personal watercraft can carry three or more people, you must make sure the manufacturer’s recommendations do not exceed the weight capacity of the PWC. It can be tempting to try and fit a few too many people onto your personal watercraft, but if it is overloaded, you may experience decreased performance and have an accident.
You should also make sure all passengers are seated securely and they should be able to hold onto the operator for support. If you have a passenger who is not able to hold onto the operator, she should sit in the middle of the PWC.
