Kids Left Unattended On Personal Watercraft Are At Risk
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks suggests that leaving a child behind the wheel of a car with the engine running is unthinkable—yet children are left alone on personal watercraft where they can easily be injured or killed. “Parents and guardians seem to overlook the risks involved in leaving a very young child on an unattended PWC, especially when the lanyard for the engine cut-off switch is attached to the vessel,” said Liz Lodman, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks boating coordinator. “Even a small child can push the start button and accidentally take off on the craft with tragic results.”
Analysis by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators shows that in the past 10 years, 36 accidents involving young children on PWCs have occurred nationwide, resulting in more than 30 injuries and three fatalities. Families can help prevent boating accidents by ensuring that young people are not left unattended on a PWC even for a few moments.
“Children should always be supervised around water and never left unattended,” Lodman said. She also recommends that adults remove the lanyard from the engine cut-off switch when the PWC is docked, beached or otherwise unattended. Lodman said no passenger should be permitted to ride aboard a PWC unless he or she is able to securely hold onto the person in front of them or to the handholds, and keep both feet on the deck for balance.
