The dark side of personal watercraft

[DrRalph]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]For several years there has been a lot of chatter here and on the AMB about personal watercraft (PWCs, jet skis, wave runners

[Floridacargocat]

The latest accident was in Nassau, where a young child (daughter) was killed due to loss of control of a PWC being operated by the mother of the child. another tragic accident happened recently in Lake Worth.
Let's see what smart lawyers are going to find to sue the owner of the PWC.

[patw]

Here is a link to the tragic story in Nassau.
http://www.nassauguardian.net/national_local/289382180426900.php

[mlmp]

Excellent point made Dr Ralph.

[Beth at Yellow Air Taxi]

An accident in Pompano Beach just today!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-718jetskicrash,0,4135474.story?coll=sofla_tab01_la yout

Says the jet ski was rented.

[Willy Landham]

I think it all comes down to the following:

With personal freedom comes personal responsibility. Those who cannot demonstrate the latter should not be blessed with the former.

[Abacouple]

On a local lake, most of the PWC operators I see seem to only want to sprint, dog-fight or barrel race. They are rarely , if ever, used for simple transportation, sight-seeing, skiing, or other traditional water activities. Lethality increases when fueled with alcohol, inexperience, recklessness, carelessness, neglect or illegality. Oh, and the noisy disruption of tranquility. I'd rather listen to a leaf blower. Dirt bikes draw the same ire.

I've ridden PWC's. They ARE fun, but I recognize the irritation factor. If I ever ride one again, it will be with full recognizance that those not riding rarely appreciate them and I'll minimize the impact my fun has on the ability of others to enjoy their property, peace and enjoyment.

Boaters can act the fool just as well and I've seen it in Marsh Harbor. However, it less common than by PWC's in my estimation.

[gator]

To your point Dr: http://video.nbc5i.com/player/?id=127151

[papanasty]

I do'nt know for sure if it true but i was told that today on Tahiti Bch. there was a terrible accident and one child was killed and another one criticaly injured,I personally have no use for PWC and would never own one because they are so dangerous,there as bad as those 3 wheelers Honda used to make years ago,how many people havre to be killed before they ban them from production and sale Papanasty:(

[LuvDeIlons]

There was an unfortunate accident in the Lubber's Channel between the S end of Lubbers and the Castle off Tilloo. We are staying on Lubber's and heard the MayDay just after lunch. Moments earlier, we had seen an open fisherman pulling a tube with another boat and a PWC in close pursuit. Apparently, the youngster on the PWC collided in some way with one of the boats and sustained a serious head injury. The medical folks from Hopetown and Lubbers organized their response and were on the scene quickly to assist the young man. He was taken to Marsh Harbour initially and per one of the responders, probably to be taken to the mainland for treatment.
We all hope for his quick and complete recovery.
BillR

[SamFamAustin]

Goodness gracious, what stories of carnage and mayhem! And this is not to mention giant sturgeon and carp whacking the PWC riders. Is this some kind of Darwin Award thing or what?

In my little burg we tried to ban the rascals, or at least put in 200-foot traffic separation so the PWC wouldn't hit anything. We were informed that we couldn't do that, since any navigable waters were "owned" by the state or federal government, and the local community couldn't say boo. The only thing we could do was to ban them from our beaches above the high water mark.

Well that went over like a lead balloon, since beach vendors were making a ton of money off their "banana boats," which is a big yellow weenie pulled behind a PWC and you try to shake the riders off the banana. We had no idea these banana-weenie operators had a lobbyist and a lawyer! Sheesh.

[a j chase]

We were coming into Hopetown from Johnnie's Cay when the mayday call came in about the accident off of the Castle. Just as we got into the harbor, the HT Fire and Rescue boat went tearing out with lights and siren screaming. Our caretaker is a medic on that crew and filled us in some on the accident. The boy was taken immediately to Fla. with a serious head injury. Got an e-mail from him the other day telling me that after some serious brain surgery it appears he'll live. Experienceing the Fire and Rescue response really impressed us, motivated me to make a donation to them. I'd encourage everyone to do the same......Tip

[Yellow Hanna]

hmmmm......i believe that these are the same kind of idiots that think their kids should have access to quads or crotch rocket motorcycles.

it seems that lots of rednecks and yuppies have trouble enjoying nature without an internal combustion engine strapped to their crotch. sailing or hiking does not cross their mind as a viable alternative.

still t'ink there should be a bounty on 'em

[SamFamAustin]

I hear ya, Yellow Hanna, a bounty like wild wolves or something.

But what happened to the days when we were perfectly happy with a dinghy and a 2 to 15 horsepower engine or a dang sail? Seems like nobody can have fun unless you have at least 100 horsepower engine - one or more 250's are the best. I grew up on a 2.5 HP Seagull outboard and graduated to a 5 HP Evinrude and then my favorite, the Evinrude 15 HP tiller motor. Best little engine ever made for a boat. I don't mean to sound like an old fart, but if you're in paradise, what's the rush? Will the fish bite be any better if you're there 20 minutes sooner?

I say that if you cant swim or handle a small dinghy, you have no business being on a boat in the first place. Most folks on a PWC can't do either...

[Hank g]

Agreed Sam. I remember a 3 hp outboard on my grandfather's skiff and we sure caught a lot of fish. But, then, we always left the dock 20 minutes early. Still do. See you there. :)

[mlmp]

I also heard the mayday and the response from Basra Hope Town/Lubbers was awesome. I hope the people who were directly affected by the accident will remember them too. It's sometimes sad to find our that those rescued don't always help to repay. This is certainly not to say that these people haven't done so or plan to do so in the future. This is from experiences prior to this accident.

[culp]

Where can the money be sent to support the HT Fire and Rescue group?

[mlmp]

I believe this is the website, www.hopetownfirerescue.com (http://www.hopetownfirerescue.com)

[culp]

Thanks MLMP!:)