When reboarding a personal watercraft (PWC) after a fall, the PWC should be rolled upright following the manufacturer’s instructions, usually indicated by a decal or arrow on the rear or bottom of the craft. This ensures the PWC is turned in the correct direction to avoid engine damage or flooding
. The proper steps to roll and reboard a PWC are:
- Rolling the PWC upright: If the PWC capsizes, roll it back upright in the direction indicated by the manufacturer’s decal or manual. This prevents damage to the engine or water intake systems
- Approach from the stern: Swim to the rear (stern) of the PWC to reboard. Avoid boarding from the side, as this can tip the craft over again
- Use reboarding aids: Many PWCs have built-in boarding steps or handles at the stern. Use these to pull yourself up in a controlled and balanced manner, placing your foot on the boarding step and then your knees on the swim platform before sliding onto the seat
- Keep the engine off: Always ensure the engine is stopped before attempting to reboard. The engine cut-off switch or safety lanyard should be disconnected after a fall to prevent the engine from running. Never reboard while the engine is running to avoid injury from the jet pump intake or thrust
- Attach safety lanyard after boarding: Once safely aboard, attach the safety lanyard to yourself before restarting the engine
- Practice beforehand: It is recommended to practice reboarding in calm, shallow water to become familiar with the process and ensure you can do it safely alone
In summary, the PWC should be rolled upright in the manufacturer's specified direction, approached from the stern, reboarded using the boarding step and grab handles, with the engine off, and the safety lanyard reattached once aboard. Taking these precautions ensures safe and effective reboarding after a fall
