PWC AND JET SKIS: ESSENTIAL SAFETY GEAR
You can travel much faster and further on a PWC, jet ski, WaveRunner, or Sea-Doo. For this reason, you’ll need to pay close attention to boat traffic.
Many boaters won’t be used to the rapid response and short turn radius, typical of a PWC. Give other watercraft plenty of space when overtaking them. Always look on both sides and behind you before making a turn. Never follow another boat to jump their wake - you could fall in the water and struggle in the artificial waves.
Riding a PWC can give you a thrill that kayaks and SUPs simply can’t. It’s that unique feeling you get when you splash through the sea at good speed, with your hair in the air and your hands firmly on the handlebars.
So, what safety gear do you need on a jet ski? Here's what we recommend.
Wear a non-inflating PFD
Carry an emergency beacon such as an EPIRB or a PLB
Check you have a fire extinguisher approved for marine use
Carry the vessel’s registration
Have a marine whistle or air horn handy
Bring an emergency engine cutoff lanyard
Carry a backfire flame arrestor and passive ventilation system
Take a water bottle and sunscreen
Wear a rashguard and hat
Bring in-date flares
Check you have an anchor and line on board
Have a VHF radio handy
Bring your mobile phone
Make sure there’s a bailer or manual bilge pump on the craft
Bring your PWC license (if mandatory in your country)
Carry an anchor.
If you plan to go out for more than an hour or two, or to travel further, you’ll also want to take:
A compass
Charts
A flashlight
GPS
A towline
Portable GPS
A reboarding step
Throwable floatation devices
A knife.
Remember that, even though a PWC doesn’t have a keel or rudder, the water pressure from the jet pump can damage the sea bed in shallow spots. And, finally, before heading out, check that everything on the craft works properly.
Please make sure you research the regulations for mandatory equipment and maintenance of the watercraft you intend to use where you are. These vary in each state and country.