Jet ski crash injured several on lake in NC. What are guidelines on personal watercraft?
Five people, including children, were injured in a Mother’s Day weekend jet ski accident on Mountain Island Lake.
Around 6:30 p.m. Sunday two jet skis crashed into each other on the lake about 12 miles northwest of uptown Charlotte, Mount Holly authorities said. The injured were removed from the water and treated.
While it is unclear what caused the wreck, jet skis do present a potential risk of injury if used improperly.
Here are North Carolina laws in place that regulate the use of personal watercraft.
What are NC jet ski operating requirements?
Similar to boats, state law also regulates the use of personal watercraft (PWC), commonly referred to as “jet skis” or “Wave Runners.” Here are the laws pertaining to them.
PWCs cannot be operated between sunset and sunrise.
No one under the age of 14 can operate a PWC, but those between the ages of 14 and 16 can if they are accompanied by an adult or have passed a boating safety education course.
Each person aboard a PWC is required to wear a personal flotation device.
If the watercraft has a lanyard cut-off switch, it must be attached to the operator.
PWCs must not be operated in a way that could endanger the lives or property of others.
What are the leading causes of jet ski wrecks?
There were 30 jet ski accidents reported in North Carolina in 2020, including 11 on Lake Norman, according to the most recent data from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
In 2021, the leading cause of jet ski accidents was operator inexperience, with 276 incidents occurring in the U.S. that year, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Other common causes of jet ski mishaps include operator inattention, excessive speed, and alcohol use.
Jet ski safety tips
Here are some tips on how to stay safe while riding a jet ski, according to discoverboating.com, an online resource for boater safety:
Never attempt to board a jet ski when the engine is running
Pay attention to nearby boat traffic
Look both ways and behind you before turning
Stay a safe distance away from other boaters and shore
Never follow directly behind another watercraft
Avoid riding in shallow water whenever possible
This story was originally published May 15, 2023 at 11:44 AM.
