The double-edged sword of personal watercrafts

The same person who wouldn't dream of lending a motorcycle
to someone who has never ridden one
will toss the keys of a fire-breathing PWC
to a neophyte without a second thought." - BoatUS

Jet skis are just toys, right? Any of my friends can just magically hop on with zero experience and enjoy the lake.

Incorrect. And it's that mantra that could lead to an accident that injures your personal watercraft, other people and their person's property. Worst of all, inexperience across the U.S. has caused many personal watercraft (PWC) deaths.

Whether they are called WaveRunners, jet skis, or Sea-Doos, PWCs are super popular on lakes and rivers. Unfortunately, too many take to the water with little to no experience because it "looks easy."

Personal watercrafts are defined as a type of motorboat that is specifically designed to be used by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than inside the vessel, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

If you plan on enjoying the Brazos River or a Brazos River Authority reservoir, it's important to know the details.

Designed to be extremely maneuverable, PWCs typically are built for quick, sharp turns, low-radius circling, and rapid acceleration, according to the Boat Owners Association of the United States, BoatUS. That agility is a double-edged sword.

A large portion of PWC accidents occur with PWC rentals or when people other than the owner are operating them, according to BoatUS.

Operator inattention, improper lookout, inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure ranked as the top contributing factors in accidents, according to a 2024 U.S. Coast Guard report.

Remember that steering a PWC is different than a boat. There are no brakes, and they move much differently. The more you understand how the PWC works, the better prepared you are to avoid accidents.

Unlike a boat, a PWC can't turn if it isn't powered. Once the throttle is released, put in idle, or turned off, you lose control of all steering, and your PWC will continue to go in the same direction regardless of what you do, according to Drive A Boat USA, one of the organizations that offers boater education courses. Managing that throttle allows the operator to control the speed and direction at all times, making it much easier to maintain control of the PWC.

"In an emergency situation, the instinctive reaction is to release the throttle. But on a PWC, this is the wrong thing to do if you need to steer to avoid a collision, as it eliminates most of your steering ability. It's better to maintain some throttle and steer around obstacles when possible. Releasing the throttle should only be done when preparing to come to a complete stop." - DriveABoatUSA.com

An engine cut-off switch helps ensure your safety, too. In Texas, personal watercraft operators must have an engine cut-off switch lanyard physically attached to them, their clothes, or their life jacket while underway. Then, if the operator falls overboard, the engine will cut off.

Know before you go

All operational rules for regular motorboats apply to personal watercrafts, such as having a fire extinguisher and a sound-producing device. See that full list here.

But there are more laws specific to personal watercraft. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lists those specifications:

• PWCs cannot legally operate at night, which is considered between sunset and sunrise.
• They cannot legally operate within 50 feet of another PWC, motorboat, vessel, platform, person, object, or shore except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake on most Texas reservoirs. For BRA-owned reservoirs, Lakes Possum Kingdom, Granbury and Limestone) that operational distance is 100-feet. Headway speed is a slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage.
• It is also illegal for a PWC operator to jump the wake of another boat recklessly or unnecessarily close.
• Children under 13 are prohibited from operating a PWC unless accompanied on board by a person at least 18 years of age who can lawfully operate the PWC. Those born after Sept. 1, 1993, must have successfully completed a boater education course.

Whether required or not, everyone should take a Boater Education course. There are lots of places to find these courses, both online and in person. These courses cover more than just PWCs, but all the essential watercraft topics, including required safety equipment and navigation rules. Check out where to take a class and get more information here. Once you've taken the course, you'll receive a Boater's Education Safety Card as confirmation.

Safety First - and always!

Every single person who rides a PWC must wear a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket (personal flotation device), and inflatable vests do not meet those requirements.

BoatUS has some additional tips for those looking to enjoy a PWC:

• Be aware of what is around you. The leading cause of PWC accidents is striking an object (usually another PWC). Slow down in congested areas and look to see what other boaters are doing to avoid being struck yourself.
• Practice reboarding your PWC in calm, shallow water before venturing out. To re-board your craft, approach the rear of the PWC, pull yourself up into a kneeling position, take your seat, and start it up. This sounds easier than it is, as it's difficult to re-board a PWC, especially in rough water or when fatigued.
• Give other boats the right-of-way. PWCs are smaller and more maneuverable. Larger boats may not see you and may not be able to get out of your way in time to avoid contact. Keeping a proper lookout can save your life.
• Operate at a safe speed to lower the risk of an accident. It's easy to get thrown from a PWC, especially if you hit wakes or turn too quickly.