Personal Watercraft Safety

With Labor Day weekend upon us, it seems like a good time for a refresher course on Personal Watercraft safety and responsibility. With the increased traffic on the waterways during the holiday weekends, observing the rules of the water is especially important; however, safety should be a number-one priority every time you operate a PWC.

One of the most informative and comprehensive sites I have visited with regard to PWC Safety is a site maintained by The United Safe Boating Institute (USBI). The USBI is a not-for-profit boating safety organization comprised of not-for-profit organizations recognized for their quality efforts in boating safety research and safety. The USBI has a new and informative website dedicated to helping PWC operators become safer and more knowledgeable boaters.

The USBI, under a grant administrated by the United States Coast Guard, has developed an instructional safety certification program designed by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors specifically for PWC operators. The USBI's PWC Safety Guidelines cover General Boat Information, PWC Basics, Navigation, Using Courtesy and Common Sense, Boating Safely, Safety Equipment, and PWC and the Environment. After reviewing the PWC Safety Guidelines, you can take a short 10-minute quiz to test your boating and safety knowledge and receive an instant grade. With a passing score of 80% or better, participants will be sent (within 4 - 6 weeks) a USBI Safety Card acknowledging them as a safe and knowledgeable PWC operator. This test does not, however, replace those requirements for a safety course in states requiring education.

There are also several good articles regarding PWC Safety on the Internet. The Personal Watercraft Zone's article entitled Summertime Fun and Responsibility discusses how a veteran PWC operator can help a newbie learn the ropes of PWC safety so that they will enjoy their PWC experience. Yamaha also has a program called GET W.E.T. which is their Water Education and Training program. Their GET W.E.T. site has some useful safety tips and a short quiz to test your safe boating knowledge.

As you know, the waterways are patrolled more heavily during the holidays. Water patrol may conduct spot inspections of boats and PWCs to make sure that they comply with all safety regulations. Take a few minutes before you launch your PWC to make sure that you have all of the required safety equipment on board. The Coast Guard Auxiliary has posted a handy Personal Watercraft Safety Checklist which is a good reference list to keep with your gear.

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