The ordeal this family survived demonstrates why it’s imperative to take a safety course before launching a PWC or other watercraft. Knowing how to operate your craft, understanding water conditions, and making safety a priority are of utmost importance. Fortunately, the family knew to wear PFD’s while on a PWC.
An Auckland man named Gerald, purchased a new jet ski and took his wife, mother, and daughter for a ride. Four people were aboard the ski when they launched from Greenhithe. They were underway when Gerald stopped near Herald Island in Auckland’s estuary waterways. The family was about 500 from meters form shore when a rogue wave flipped the machine. The jet ski was too heavy for the family to upright so they clung to it, hoping for rescue. Gerald’s father, older daughter, and a son were left stranded in a dinghy 300 meters away. The son jumped off the dinghy and attempted to swim to help the family. Fortunately, Ramon Saxon and friends were sailing by and spotted the family in the water.
Saxon and his friends pulled them aboard and wrapped them in blankets before helping Gerald right the ski. They then sailed to Herald Island where they met with a waiting Coastguard team. The team checked out the family and returned them to Greenhithe.
Coastguard Duty Officer Hemi Manaena stated that if the family hadn’t been in lifejackets, the outcome may have been much more serious. Manaena encouraged inexperienced boaters to take a course in boating education. Gerald will soon register. He learned the hard way as to why it’s important to put safety first. He and his family were very lucky that a Good Samaritan sailed into their lives.
Knowing how to properly correct a capsized personal watercraft is important, and believe it or not, manufacturers have placed decals on all new units giving step-by-step instructions on how to do it. Here’s also a great video demonstrating the process:
