Personal watercraft – Jet Skis, Sea Doos, Wave Runners, and other small motorized water vessels – can be a lot of fun. I hate being the guy who pours a bucket of cold water over the heads of people who just want to have fun, but here goes: Personal watercraft can also be dangerous to their operators, passengers and others. Like any other motor vehicle, safety precautions are necessary to make sure that the fun stays fun when it comes to personal watercraft.
Many states have restrictions about who can operate a personal watercraft, and some (including my home state of Michigan) require some education and licensing. Check with your state’s Department of Natural Resources or similar government office to find out what is required for legal operation.
Here are Five Tips for Personal Watercraft Safety:
- Wear a life jacket. Even the strongest swimmers can get stunned by a sharp wipeout on a personal watercraft. A life jacket, properly latched and with the proper buoyancy for your size, can turn that awesome-looking wipeout into a funny story instead of a terrible tragedy. There are cool, close-fitting life jackets out there – don’t ride without one.
- Take a boating safety course. Learn the rules for the body of water you’ll be exploring. Lake, river and ocean areas often have different restrictions, traditions and rights of way. You can easily find an online course you can complete in under an hour – and you’ll be safer for the effort.
- Attach the engine cut-off switch. Every personal watercraft should have a cut-off switch that runs from the rider to the machine. If you fall off, the engine immediately stops – which means that your personal watercraft won’t turn into an unmanned torpedo that can hit another boat, person – or you.
- Get a free vessel safety check. If you’re renting a personal watercraft, ask the vendor to give you a rundown of the safety and operation features on your rental. If you own a Jet Ski, Sea Doo, Wave Runner or other watercraft, check your safety features before each riding sessions, and take your vessel to a Coast Guard or marine patrol station for a safety inspection before each boating season.
- Ride sober. According to the United States Coast Guard, alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents – including personal watercraft.
I know nobody wants to think about danger when it’s time to have fun – but consider just a few safety tips before and during your personal watercraft adventure, and you can have even more fun in the future.
