Why kids don't belong on PWC's

[SternDrive]

Jet Ski accident injures 15-year-old
08/04/2003
A 15-year-old girl is in the hospital after a Jet Ski accident at Lake Pleasant early Monday afternoon.
According to Maricopa County sheriff's deputies, the teen was with a group of friends who rented Jet Skis for the day. The girl was out on the water just north of the marina when things went terribly wrong.
Deputies said the girl made an abrupt maneuver, a radical move then sent her flying into the water.
A 16-year-old boy on another Jet Ski was right behind her. The boy told investigators there was no way for him to avoid hitting the girl.
Deputies said a passing boater got the injured girl on board and took her to the marina.
A couple watching from the shore said at first, they didn't realize anything wrong because the group appeared fairly calm.
Paramedics treated the girl at the scene. She was then airlifted to St. Joseph's hospital, and was reportedly in and out of consciousness during the trip.
While the accident is still under investigation, deputies said they do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors.
At this point, no citations have been issued.
It has not been determined yet if speed played a role in the wreck. There is no speed limit on the lake. Jet Skiers are supposed to use their best judgment to maintain a safe speed and distance to avoid colliding with other watercraft on the lake. Also, you only have to be 12 years old to legally operate a Jet Ski.

[JetBoatRich]

I have seen plenty of adults riding to close to other jet skis and boats. It is to bad for the girl who who got hit from ignorance. frown

[Trailer Park Casanova]

A good guess would be she took a head shot.
You have to admit,, really,, it's astonishing that there aren't more of these accidents.
The parents are probably in pretty bad shape now. You can only imagine their pain.
We won't let out kids on PWC's, and I feel animosity from them everytime they ask.
I really hope she pulls through.

[Mandelon]

Maybe they will sue the jetski rental company and put an end to the practice of putting unskilled "operators" on vehicles capable of killing people......
How sad.

[Boozer]

That's a good idea. Who wants to go rent jet ski's and hit me with one? I'll take a near death head shot for 5 mill.

[MagicMtnDan]

Mandelon:
Maybe they will sue the jetski rental company and put an end to the practice of putting unskilled "operators" on vehicles capable of killing people......
How sad. You know, you bring up a great point. As much as I detest lawyers and their ambulance-chasing ways and what they do to our insurance rates and how they cause us to have more insurance than we should ($hit, there I go again), maybe lawyers can be our allies when it comes to PWCs.
It would be great if the lawyers sued all the PWC rental companies every time there's any incident. It would drive their insurance sky high hopefully keeping them from even getting insurance. Then they're out of business for good.
And then we only have to worry about the zillion other PWC owners and their kids and friends. burningm

[Hermosa]

I have seen both adults and kids do stupid things when riding a PWC. If you let your kids rent these things, don't be surprised if they come home in a box. I don't care how "good" anyones kids are on these things, they just don't have the experience or judgement to be on something with that much umlimited power. Their attention is on having fun, and not on anything else. Last Friday I was on Lake Berressa, the freaking lake was empty at 10:00 AM, but yet a stupid ass 10 year old cuts right in front of me and another boat when we were doing about 30 mph cruising to the other end of the lake. Sorry to say, more kids will die on these things... adults too.

[Phat_Kat]

this is why we have those 300 FT follow laws in place. My little cousin was coming right up my ass when we were jetskiing and I sure gave him a mouthful of jetski roost(thank god for jet trims). I then barked at him a bit and explained to him a few possible ways he could run up the back of me and seriously hurt if not kill me. After that he kept his distance from everyone.

[Phat_Kat]

RiverDave:
Phat_Kat:
this is why we have those 300 FT follow laws in place. My little cousin was coming right up my ass when we were jetskiing and I sure gave him a mouthful of jetski roost(thank god for jet trims). I then barked at him a bit and explained to him a few possible ways he could run up the back of me and seriously hurt if not kill me. After that he kept his distance from everyone. I've never seen a jetski with a rooster tail.. ???
RD on the FX140 when you put the trim all the way up and turn slightly to the left you get a nice 3FT or so tall tail out of the thing.

[What's Poppin']

If I am not mistaken, the law states they should not be on a PWC alone until at least age 16. If parents don't show them how to operate them safely then they are at fault. We have one and all my kids drive it, 9,10,&11. But I ride with them and teach them how to pay attention around them and give the right-away to the bigger craft. Children only learn what they are taught, and if you just hand it over without any instructions then whose the idiot...the kid for being a kid or the parent not knowing that would happen. Water safety should always be foremost no matter what the craft is.

[Boozer]

Sea Doo's can produce a roost. I don what it is maybe its a place diverter or something on them but whatever it is they have a little sprayer thing. The water goes through the motor and then comes out a little jet. The jet is normally pointed down into the wayter but it can be aimed up and I have seen them shoot a roost as high as 20-30 feet or so. It's not a very big roost pretty much just a small stream of water with a lot of pressure behind it that lets it shoot up pretty high.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

A few years back, we passed thru Laughlin in route to Parker.
While playing blackjack, a couple sat down at the table and showed everyone their repair bills from the Wave Runner rental shop on Harrahs beach.
They slammed into each other and the damages were in the Thousands. No injuries though.
The next day, we were just floating down the river past the Hotels when a kid on a waverunner rode up in tears.
He had t boned his friend, and the friend was badly injured on the Az side in the brush, and asked for assistance.
We sped over and the friend had a Joe Theismman leg from the impact plus it was pretty bloody.
We lifted him onto my swimstep, fish and game appeared and called the Paramedics. We motored over to Harrahs and the paramedics picked him up.
Later that week we were at the Roadrunner in Parker.
The Roadrunner had an independant guy renting Sea Doos on that nasty old launch ramp dock they have since removed.
That was the last week for the Sea Doo rental guy. The story went; a 15 and 16 yr old brother and sister were hit within minutes of their parents renting them Sea Doos,, the brother fatal on the spot,, the sister dying later on the next day, we were told.
Later that summer we got Y boned in Avalon harbor by a rental Wave Runner. He was doing at least 30 mph in a no wake zone, blind turning around some huge yaughts.
The Avalon Wave Runner rental shop had NO insurance.
Too much for us,, no way we'll get on those things.
Far far more PWCs on the water than just a few short years ago. Amazing their aren't more collisions.
Riverdave mentioned once they don't scare him,, I agree, but I won't be surprised if eventually one of us gets hit,, again.
[ August 05, 2003, 09:30 AM: Message edited by: Trailer Park Casanova ]

[rrrr]

We have had our two Kaw Jet Skis for almost 10 years, one 750 standup and one 750 runabout.
After several near misses, some "oops, sorry" (without an offer to pay for the damage) and knowing how effed up all the other people are out there.....
My wife and I are the only people that ride 'em. Don't have to pay for insurance, worry about getting sued, or worst of all being part of a tragedy brought on by carelessness.
The other benefit is that the skiis look and run like new. The damn things are fun to ride, I really like the standup.
I can't stand all of the other farging iceholes on 'em though..... :D

[miller19j]

I wonder how many of these rental companies have insurance? It would seem almost impossible to get insurance with all the accidents these things cause. Do they have people sign waivers or something instead of insurance.
And what the hell is a rental company renting a Jet Ski to a 15 year old for. I thought you had to be 16 by law to ride one? If I went to Avis when I was 15 and tried to rent a car do you think they would rent me one……..Uh no!

[AzDon]

Those jet rentals make you sign a "responsibility" contract that supposedly puts the full liability on the renter, as well as damages to the machine.... In reality, it is the owner of the conveyance who is responsible for everything: liability, damage to his unit AND the safety and well-being of his renter. I don't know how these rental guys are able to buy insurance at a price that allows them to rent these things, but I suspect that they refuse to divulge their insurance except when they are hit with lawsuit documents. I personally think renting (or loaning) PWCs should be illegal because the accidents they cause almost always victimize the larger boat's insurance company and owner. It's the playing of the "cult of victimhood" card by injured PWC'rs that most pisses me off about PWC's. People ride PWC's in a fearlessly reckless manner and then are the "poor victim" when they get hurt, and expect the uninjured boater's insurance company to open their wallets to pay for the pain.
At the very least, PWC rental companies should be assigned distinctive colors and bold numbering to limit the possibility of "hit and run" and the PWC rental people should be "educated" by damaged parties making them pay for the damages caused by their machines!

[AzDon]

Perhaps it's time to pass some laws that declare PWC's as toys (not boats) that have no legal equality with boats or rights to damages in the event of an accident with a boat. Further, damages caused by a PWC should result in immediate siezure of the PWC by the damaged party till damages are paid. There should also be a "vigilante education" law that states that anyone operating a PWC in a rude manner is subject to an "ass kicking" without ANY legal protection!

[Phat_Kat]

Forensic:
Boozer:
Sea Doo's can produce a roost. I don what it is maybe its a place diverter or something on them but whatever it is they have a little sprayer thing. The water goes through the motor and then comes out a little jet. The jet is normally pointed down into the wayter but it can be aimed up and I have seen them shoot a roost as high as 20-30 feet or so. It's not a very big roost pretty much just a small stream of water with a lot of pressure behind it that lets it shoot up pretty high. Boozer, I think what your refering to is the Yamaha equivalent of a flag in the desert. Something to the effect of "Look out for me cause I ain't looking out for your" stream of water. yeah that's what he's thinking of. I'm talking about an actual trim on the ski. It's an attatchment on the front of the actual jet and diverts the jet in the direction of your choice.

[eliminatedsprinter]

What's Poppin':
If I am not mistaken, the law states they should not be on a PWC alone until at least age 16. If parents don't show them how to operate them safely then they are at fault. We have one and all my kids drive it, 9,10,&11. But I ride with them and teach them how to pay attention around them and give the right-away to the bigger craft. Children only learn what they are taught, and if you just hand it over without any instructions then whose the idiot...the kid for being a kid or the parent not knowing that would happen. Water safety should always be foremost no matter what the craft is. This is the critical point. Kids must learn that PWCs are powerboats and they must learn and follow all the same rules of safe navigation. I see people of all ages (and unfortunatly on all types of craft) making the same stupid mistakes.
1. Following too close.
2. Sharp turns without looking.
3. Not yeilding to starboard traffic, sailboats, and big ships etc..
4. Not haveing a clue to the meaning of warning flags and bouys etc...
These types of things cause far more accidents (according to coast gaurd stats) than drivers age or speed.
[ August 05, 2003, 01:20 PM: Message edited by: eliminatedsprinter ]

[Phat_Kat]

eliminatedsprinter:
What's Poppin':
If I am not mistaken, the law states they should not be on a PWC alone until at least age 16. If parents don't show them how to operate them safely then they are at fault. We have one and all my kids drive it, 9,10,&11. But I ride with them and teach them how to pay attention around them and give the right-away to the bigger craft. Children only learn what they are taught, and if you just hand it over without any instructions then whose the idiot...the kid for being a kid or the parent not knowing that would happen. Water safety should always be foremost no matter what the craft is. This is the critical point. Kids must learn that PWCs are powerboats and they must learn and follow all the same rules of safe navigation. I see people of all ages (and unfortunatly on all types of craft) making the same stupid mistakes.
1. Following too close.
2. Sharp turns without looking.
3. Not yeilding to starboard traffic, sailboats, and big ships etc..
4. Not haveing a clue to the meaning of warning flags and bouys etc...
These types of things cause far more accidents (according to coast gaurd stats) than drivers age or speed. You're completely right man. I have seen the same cluelessness on the water. I hold up my hand when passing wakeboard boats or skiers in general to show that I see the skier and I'm gonna keep clear and they think I'm just making a friendly wave. Also every idiot pulling a innertuber has to across the river not paying any attention to people who just want to get by. I understand skiers have the right of way but for god sakes let us by. I almost always get pissed off and hammer the throttle and go through the small gap of time that I have. If I'm an asshole for doing this then so be it but I really hate these guys that do this and never look to see if a few of us are trying to get by. They don't look forward either! I'm coming right towards them and they're going from one side of the river to the other and to be honest I'm terrified of hitting them so I just pull off to the side of the river and stop. This is bullshit that I get so nervous that I feel this is nessary when there's just me and him in the area.

[OkieDave]

My wife gets her cast off her hand tomarrow from the surgery she needed from a cut she sustained when she was thrown from her seat in our boat while I was turning sharply to avoid a PWC. That was the 5th of July, a day after our wedding. She may or may not regain the use of her thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. Since then, we've been to the lake four times and had to shut the boat off from a full speed twice to avoid PWC riders who drove right into our path. One of them had three people on it, a man and two little kids. I want them gone from the lakes.

[eliminatedsprinter]

I think we need to focus on the clueless riders, not the equipment. There are those who want all of us motorized folks off of the lakes and would be happy to use the PWCs as a "first step".
[ August 05, 2003, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: eliminatedsprinter ]

[SchellSchock]

Last year at Perris, (I didn't know what a Lake Lice invested craphole it was), I'm being pulled on a ski by my son, (who knows and follows all rules of the water, due to Coast Guard Auxillary clases having to been taken by him and all who drive my boat). I signal end of run throw my rope after making sure mind you that we are not in anyones way. As he is turning to pick me up a boat and two PWC's who are racing com blasting around the lake headed right towards me, (I had my ski up to). He quickly pivoted the boat to place it between me and them, they swerved at the last minute and conyinued barraling down the lake. Problem is in the quick move to get to me he wake smacked sideways causing my wife to fall from seat across boat and face plant in the cooming. Damgage...Physical fractured eye socket.. its healed now but she is still really gun shy when other boats or PWC's are around. He has lost most interest in boating, wakeboarding, and skiing and I'm sure it's partially because he felt somewhat guilty about what happened to his mom, even though he did the right things. I personnally think we as ***boaters ought to set the example and take Boater safety courses on our own hook. Then we can unite against these dumb ass operators and lobby for laws requiring everyone to take the courses before using a water vehicle of any sort. I am aware this won't eliminate all of the problem but it has got to help don't ya' think??

[eliminatedsprinter]

I say start with the least intrusive measures and work up only as needed.
I'd start by making all dealers show all buyers (and renters) a vidio and making them take a very basic safty quiz (new boat buyers too). This alone may make a difference, as many people just hit the water without ever even being exposed to what they should be doing.
[ August 05, 2003, 05:23 PM: Message edited by: eliminatedsprinter ]

[NashvilleBound]

Boozer:
That's a good idea. Who wants to go rent jet ski's and hit me with one? I'll take a near death head shot for 5 mill. Any time your ready......