PWCs are a great deal of fun because of their maneuverability and power. It is for these same reasons that PWC can be dangerous if not operated responsibly. The potential for danger is illustrated in the 2003 boating accidents in Virginia showing that although PWCs comprise just over 10% of all registered boats, they were involved in 22.6% of all boating accidents. As a fast growing segment of boating, both in Virginia and the nation, personal watercraft operators need to become more safety conscious through personal responsibility. The word “personal” in personal watercraft is focused on the operator’s independent decision to act responsibly. Safe PWC operation requires quick and responsible decisions based on mature judgment.

With the decision to operate the PWC responsibly, there are several essential pieces of information you should remember to keep your ride safe. Some of the information deals strictly with the boat’s mechanics. Other information is common sense, and the rest of the details include the laws. First, let’s look at operation logistics.

Although PWC are involved in a disproportionate number of boating accidents (property damage and personal injury), they have a great safety record when it comes to boating fatalities. The main reason for low fatality rates on PWC is because all PWC operators, passengers, and persons being towed by a PWC, are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Other boat operators and passengers are only required to have wearable life jackets on board, but are not required to wear them. The use of high-impact life jackets by PWC operators and passengers is encouraged as the high-impact types have more straps on the PFD vest to hold it on during a sudden spill into the water at high speeds. Also, the jet-drive propulsion is safer than a propeller motor. However, the jet drive intake will attract loose items and pull them through the jet drive much like a vacuum.

Items that are too large to enter the intake area will be held against the intake grates until the engine is turned off. Common sense tells us to keep the area near the water intake free of obstructions. Obstructions might include sand, stones, seaweed, or such things as clothing, straps, fishing line, plastic bags, and even long hair. The jet intake is powerful and will suck anything into its impeller, damaging the pump.