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California Boating
A Course for Safe Boating
Chapter 4
u
Personal Watercraft
Dangerous Moves
(cont.)
Operating your PWC in another boat’s wake—the water may be whipped to
a froth, which can affect how you steer.
Chasing another PWC in small circles.
Bad Weather
If you’re caught in bad weather:
Reduce speed.
Proceed with caution.
Head for the nearest safe shore landing area.
If the water becomes choppy, head into the waves at a slant, or about a
45-degree angle as shown to the left.
Rescue
The moving parts of a PWC are inside the craft, reducing your chances for
injury. If a rider falls off a personal watercraft, most of the craft have one of
the two following safety devices:
A cutoff switch will stop the engine when the operator falls off.
Or the engine will continue to idle and the steering mechanism will turn all
the way to port or starboard, making the PWC circle slowly nearby if the
operator falls off.
In either case, the operator should carefully climb aboard the PWC. If the
vessel has a lanyard, remember to reconnect it in order to restart the engine.
If your PWC capsizes:
Right the craft the way the manufacturer recommends. Look for the label
with this information on the stern of the PWC.
Board and restart the engine after you have connected the lanyard to the
cut-off switch.
If your PWC has stalled and will not restart:
Wait a few minutes before trying to restart. The engine may be “flooded” or
the fuel line may be clogged.
Do not attempt to repair the engine while you’re on the water.
If the watercraft will not restart, stay with the PWC until help comes.
Wave your arms, or use a whistle, mirror or other signaling device stored
on board to attract attention.
WEBSITE
For information on a PWC Safety
Course, visit
www.dbw.ca.gov/PWCsafety
45-DEGREE ANGLE