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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Another Tragedy - Jet Ski

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Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/16/2012 : 18:02:56

This is why they need to stop people from being able to rent these without proper training. These things need to be removed from the waterways. For some reason no one looks at these like they would 20 foot power boat even though they can go as fast if not faster.

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/parents-sue-daughter-dies-hawaii-jet-ski-crash-130707741--abc-news-topstories.html

Chris Z.
Water Warrior
1982 Force 5

Former Owner Blown Away - C25

Edited by - Chris Z on 08/16/2012 18:27:41

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2012 : 19:29:58

I don't like jet-skies zooming around either, but the fault is in the rental companies and operators rather than the boat. You're right, they aren't treated like the high performance boats that they are. Training, testing and licensing should be mandatory before operating unsupervised. A sailboat captain was unsuccessfully sued a few years ago when a 14 y/o girl crashed into the side his boat and died. He was still out his time, legal expenses and emotional stress.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2012 : 19:40:32

I hate reading stories like this. I don't know how a rental agency could prevent something like this. Even if they did check rides, there's nothing stopping the operator from being on their best behavior while the rental agent was with them, then go off and do what teenagers and 20-somethings do.

I've had to take a friend to the hospital after being T-boned on a jetski by another friend on that ski's twin. Fortunately it was just a bad-bad bone bruise, but we thought he might have a broken femur (if you ever want to get fast service in an ER, mention broken femur).

Also the closest I've ever come to being hit on the water was two jetskis being driven by what I'd guess were 15 year old girls. Fortunately they saw me at the very last second (they hadn't heard my horn over the sound of their skis, they were screaming at each other while looking at each other), and veered off in opposite directions. And never looked back. I'd already gathered my dog in my arms and was deciding which way to jump. Fortunately in our current sailing venue, we almost never see them.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2012 : 20:16:08

Jet ski operation in CT requires a specific operator's certificate that is above the standard "Save Boating Certificate" required to operate other vessels. That might explain the "relative" reduction of crazy jet-skiers here... although I suspect the requirement is not well enforced. Apparently the certification doesn't clue them in on what kinds of wakes they draw at lower speeds--they commonly cause boats at the Mystic Seaport, in a No Wake Zone, to rock and roll!

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2012 : 03:18:48

Yes jet ski operation in PA is also regulated. It requires a boaters certificate, and you have to be at least 12 yo. It's not much, but it's something. The boaters cert is kind of a joke though.

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rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2012 : 06:48:57

Not to degenerate a seriously tragic story, but I'll add mine. Sixteen year old nephew playing unsupervised with other friends on the family jetski. I catch them being towed in with the sitdown ski sunk up to the seat, flooded beyond "wont start anymore." Hoist it on the dock and calmly tell them to pump it out and grab then me so we can start repair. Come back in the evening after hearing nothing from them, find ski still flooded and hydrolocked.

Edited by - rrick on 08/17/2012 06:50:27

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2012 : 07:00:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 He was still out his time, legal expenses and emotional stress.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Texas has recently enacted new laws...where if you sue someone and lose, you are responsible for their expenses, both legal and personal.

This doesn't apply to criminal cases, just civil disputes. The aim is to cut down on frivolous lawsuits and legal action taken to financially hurt or intimidate. (rich folks $%#ing with poor people)

Broken femur.....oh yeah. Most dangerous, painful and life threatening break you can get. A splintered bone in close proximity to the femoral artery, which if severed, can bleed you out in minutes. That and spinal injuries get you moved to the front of the line. Fine by me...if I'm there for a broken arm or something, take the dude writhing in agony before me....I'm cool with that....

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2012 : 07:41:01

Ah the sue happy Americans go after a kid who made a mistake. When you were a kid, ever do something foolish that could or did end badly? I understand the family's pain, but when I have rented a jetski wherein the boundaries were set, there was an employee that came and chased down my ass when I was chasing a friend too close or something... I didn't know I was being reckless until I grew up...

But as I have always said, you need a license to get married, fly a plane, drive a car, practice medicine, dentistry, massage therapy, or ride a motorcycle. But any damn fool with some cash in their pocket can buy or rent a watercraft of some sort...

sten

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2012 : 07:55:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 When you were a kid, ever do something foolish that could or did end badly?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Of course, and I wonder at times how I managed to survive.

But I never killed anyone.

(accidentally)

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2012 : 08:11:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Joe Diver
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 When you were a kid, ever do something foolish that could or did end badly?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Of course, and I wonder at times how I managed to survive.

But I never killed anyone.

(accidentally)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Lucky for you, me and countless others. BUT, I think the kid will live with this for the rest of his life. To chase him for $REVENUE$ is just in poor taste in my opinion...

sten

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5429 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2012 : 09:14:15

A nanny state could pass a law requiring that rental operators have to install speed governors on rental jets skis for those who do not possess a boat license with a jetski endorsement. If you don't have a license you get a slow boat, if you do you get a fast boat. All nanny states should have a boat licensing requirements.
On the other hand, libertarian states don't have to worry about it. If you have the cash you can rent a jetski and endanger folks. Same goes for other dangerous activities too numerous to mention here.

Edited by - on

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