Jet Skis Can Pose Serious Danger to Riders, Swimmers

FLORIDA – An online news report published at insideedition.com discusses the serious dangers that jet skis can pose to both riders and swimmers. Numerous accidents involving jet skis happen across the country every year, and safety officials say that people need to be aware of the risks associated with these watercraft.* 

In 2017, a total of 46 people were killed in accidents involving personal watercraft, which includes jet skis. These accidents happen all around the nation, but they are particularly common in Florida, where residents and tourists frequently enjoy water activities in the summer and many other times of the year. Water-related accidents are common enough in Florida that the Miami-Dade Police Department created a Marine Patrol Unit to enforce maritime law. 

Reporters with Inside Edition following Marine Patrol officers during a typical summer day in Miami-Dade and watched as officers issued dozens of tickets to people operating jet skis, often for speeding violations. Some of the people speeding through the water on jet skis had children with them, the report said. 

Officers told reporters that when accidents happen involving jet skis, which happen with unfortunate regularity in the area, they can easily turn deadly. Officers said that these types of accidents often involve careless operation of the watercraft and overall inexperience in operating a jet ski. The U.S. Coast Guard indicates that more than 80 percent of deadly boating accidents involve people who received no safety instruction regarding the watercraft. 

The owner of Blind Pass Boat and Jet Ski Rental, located in St. Pete Beach, Florida, said that jet ski operators needed to always follow basic safety standards.

“You’re looking at a 700-pound torpedo that can do about 60 mph,” he said. “You have no brakes, it needs gas to steer, and you should never drink alcohol on a jet ski.” 

Accident News is a driver safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Source:https://www.insideedition.com/how-out-control-jet-ski-can-become-700-pound-torpedo-54733