No matter how many PWC adventures you’ve been on, no matter how much of a misbehaving donkey (c’mon, you can figure it out!) you are, safety always needs to be a consideration when you hit the water on a jet ski. This goes double for solo rides, and quadruple for offshore rides – we’ll leave the math to you for rides that are both solo and offshore.
With weather warming up, and the call of open water making itself known, The Watercraft Journal wanted to check with a few of those “in the know” to find out what they consider must-haves to take along with you on an offshore adventure – whether you’re fishing, headed to a destination, or just cruising around, here are some top-rated products to keep you safe and take some of the potency out of Murphy’s Law.
Bri Andrassi, a Sea-Doo ambassador who is a Doctor of Nursing, teaching undergraduate nursing students in her professional life, is also a fishing enthusiast and PWC angler.
While keeping track of Andrassi (and sometimes @sancheztheracoon) through her BA_Fishing social media accounts and YouTube Channel is always entertaining and fun, she also shares more technical information and safety tips – such as her post just days ago highlighting the items she considers non-negotiable when venturing offshore on a solo trip – a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), a VHF/Marine Radio, a Personal Floatation Device (PFD), a Virtual Distress Signal, an Emergency Life Vessel, and sun protection.
PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON
Kirk Davis, also a well-known and avid PWC angler, also lists a PLB as one of his top three emergency communication options. In an article on The Fishing Website, Davis noted that a PLB is “an emergency devices similar in size to a cell phone, that you can activate in an emergency when all other avenues have been exhausted. They come in different forms, but you should look for one that is fully waterproof, including the aerial, and has GPS capacity. This will mean that when you activate it, your GPS will be sent to a rescue centre and they will be able to pinpoint your location and get help on the way.”
He added, “I always wear my PLB attached to me at all times. This device is my ultimate backstop – it’s like always having another boat alongside, and I trust it with my life.” He did note that using a PLB should always be a last-choice option, stating, “The PLB is an on or off device. Once it’s on, you don’t have the opportunity to provide the person getting the message on the other end any information around the urgency of your situation, so they are assuming it is life-threatening and will task any of the services – including helicopters if necessary – to rescue you.”
VFH RADIO
Bob Broeking is another familiar name to some WCJ readers, having been featured in previous articles. While not an avid PWC fisher like Davis and Andrassi, Broeking is, nonetheless, often out on solo adventures on his PWC, and, like Andrassi, strongly recommends always carrying a VHF/Marine Radio for safety reasons, convenience, weather monitoring and communications.
In a 2023 post to his YouTube Channel, Broeking details the abilities and importance of keeping a VHF or Marine Radio with you on the water, as well as giving recommendations on models, and a brief overview on how to use a Marine Radio.
PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE (With lanyard attached)
According to Sea-Doo, The type of Sea-Doo product you have and how you ride your Sea-Doo has a lot to say about the style of personal flotation device that might suit your needs. A high-octane performance PWC rider might choose a style that maximizes airflow, while a long-distance adventure rider or fishing enthusiast might want something with a bit more storage. The family that’s wakeboarding and tubing around the lake may want something that adjusts for multiple sizes and offers great freedom of movement. Visit the Sea-Doo Owner Zone to see complete information about choosing the right PFD, tips on proper usage, and more information
VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNAL
According to US Coast Guard documentation, a Visual Distress Signal (VDS) is a crucial piece of boating safety equipment that allows your vessel to be located swiftly during emergencies. If used correctly, visual distress signals make it possible to respond quickly to situations that could otherwise lead to tragic results.
VDS signals include:
*Day signals that are visible in sunlight
*Night signals that are visible in the dark
*Signals that can be used both during the day and at night.
Boating visual distress signals can be either pyrotechnic (using smoke and flame), or non-pyrotechnic (non-combustible). There are many types of signals that meet with federal boating regulations.
More information about Virtual Distress Signals, Coast Guard Guidelines and regulations, specifications and more, can be found at the BoatUS Foundation website.
EMERGENCY LIFE VESSEL
Inflatable emergency vessels or rafts provide another layer of protection for worst-case-scenarios, while remaining small and light enough to not have a negative impact on the adventure. Many styles and price ranges are available, like Uncharted Supply’s development of, arguably, the lightest, most packable raft ever. The Rapid Raft V2 can be inflated or deflated in under 30 seconds, weighs under 4 pounds and can carry up to 400 pounds of people and gear
PROTECTIVE SUN GEAR
Prolonged sun exposure can lead to sunburn, skin damage, and eye strain, in addition to overheating and dehydration.
Andressi recommends to always wear protection from the sun, including sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen such as zinc. She also recommends to always wear a shirt with a hood, which not only helps protect the top of the head, but the sensitive back-of-the-neck area.
WHISTLE
While a whistle may not seem like a very effective safety item for PWC use, according to Sea-Doo documentation, “a noise signal of some kind is legally required on all motorized watercraft. If you’re ever stranded on the water and need to signal for help, you’ll quickly understand why. Typically, this is either a whistle or small air horn; either will meet the requirement.
A whistle can be stored in a glovebox or even on your personal flotation device for instant access. An air horn is not always as easily accessible, but it’s usually more easily heard by passersby over the sound of an engine.”
