There are dangers in all forms of recreation. The reality is that there have been very few fatalities and serious incidents throughout the thirty year history of personal watercraft usage in the UK. Sadly, the few serious incidents that have occurred have attracted considerable press interest. Official statistics show that personal watercraft do not feature significantly in the overall picture for UK marine rescue and lives lost at sea.

Insurance industry records demonstrate that most serious accidents to date have involved a collision between PWs or PWs and another craft. High power, rapid acceleration, responsive steering, unsinkability, lack of external propulsion and stability in rough conditions all contribute to the seaworthiness and safety potential of the modern PW.

What can be done?

Authorities can undertake a thorough risk assessment of the area under their jurisdiction and also within neighbouring authorities. PW use is a sport and willing and informed participants in sport accept a degree of risk. However where craft are used in areas of multi-use such as the coastal zone, many other users of the water will not be as aware of the risks involved. Authorities should therefore be mindful of such risks and identify exclusive or zoned areas where risks are acceptable. Authorities with a responsibility for recreational beaches and launching sites should carry out a survey, assessing the extent and pattern of use and produce a systematic risk assessment and then make an informed decision on the level of management required.

PW users can develop the skills and knowledge of experienced riders through certified training schemes such as those run by the RYA. The industry supports such schemes through vouchers supplied with every new machine in an attempt to encourage novices to participate in training schemes. Users can also take safety precautions by wearing appropriate clothing and wearing CE approved lifejackets and always using the safety lanyards.

Owners of the craft should only allow other users to use their machines under close supervision and ensure that children under the age of 16 do not operate craft individually without appropriate training.