Top Ten Tips for Safe PWC Use
BoatU.S. Releases Hints for Improving Personal Watercraft Safety
Sep 1, 2007
The Boat Owners Association of the Unites States (BoatU.S.) has leased its top ten list of suggestions to help improve personal watercraft (PWC) safety. Statistics cited by BoatU.S. originating from the United States Coast Guard and National Marine Manufacturers Association claim personal watercraft account for 9% of all registered watercraft in the United States and yet are involved 26% of the total boating accidents reported.
BoatU.S. offers insurance services to its membership and noticed that its claim rates for their members is lower than the national average for other PWC operators. Bob Adriance, Editor of the BoatU.S. Seaworthy magazine says of this, “More boating experience and boating safety education is the answer. Our members, on average, have more experience and education compared to the general boating population. But you don’t need years of boating experience to understand the principles of safe PWC operation.”
The BoatU.S. Top Ten Tips for Safe Personal Watercraft Opertation:
- Know the age and educational requirements to operate a PWC in your state. Manufacturers recommends 16 years of age as the minimum for PWC operators
- Take a boating safety course. The Coast Guard Auxiliary's America's Boating Course or BoatU.S.'s Personal Watercraft Course are good choices
- BoatU.S. claims show 70% of all PWC collisions occur with other vessel and most of them are other personal watercraft. The organization recommends learning to operate a PWC away from high traffic area and other PWCs
- Follow basic safety precautions: Wear a personal flotation device (PFD), keep the engine kill switch lanyard attached, and avoid alcohol use
- Do not loan your PWC to another person. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that 84% of operators in PWC accidents had no boating safety training
- Learn to operate a PWC by riding with a qualified operator before going solo
- Use a pre-departure checklist prior to leaving the dock. Build a checklist specific to your craft
- Operate your PWC defensively. Maintain a safe distance from others, remember there are no brakes and that you lose steering when off-throttle. Avoid unexpected maneuvers around other boats
- Do not carry more than the rated passenger capacity of your PWC. Avoid operating with a passenger in front of the operator
- PWCs are considered powerboats and must operate under the same set of rules
BoatU.S. offers a wealth of safety information boaters of all stripes. PWCs are treated as powerboats and have their own unique risks of operation. Well educated boaters are safer boaters.
