Big Hazards from Small Craft: Michigan Jet Ski Dangers Are on The Rise

Think of this article as a small craft warning, because that’s exactly what it’s meant to be. Whether you love them or hate them, jet skis (also known as personal watercraft or PWCs) are some of the most dangerous vessels on Michigan waters. In fact, while jet skis represent only around 10 percent of all registered boats, U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate that these small personal watercraft account for 30 percent of boat-related accidents and more than 35 percent of boating injuries. Why this happens is the subject of debate, but watercraft experts point to the jet skis’ small size, large engines, and (in some cases) irresponsible drivers as possible reasons for the high number of accidents involving PWCs. Despite the dangers that seem to accompany PWCs, they have been wildly popular in the Great Lakes State ever since two prototype “snowmobile lookalikes” were introduced in the late 1960s. The first was a sit-down model by Bombardier called a “Sea-Doo” which a decade earlier had pioneered the Ski-Doo snowmobile; it was followed in the early 1970s by Kawasaki’s classic “Jet Ski” which officially coined the term many of us still use today. In a state where “muscle cars” continue to reign supreme on the highways, jet skis are their powerful aquatic counterparts – blasting through the water at high speeds and giving excited riders a strong but very wet adrenaline rush. And their speed is exactly what makes PWCs so deadly. Imagine driving a snowmobile into a drifted bank at 65 miles per hour. Hitting a wave on a PWC at that kind of velocity is not much different. The deceptive “softness” of water packs a punch of its own. And, unlike snow, which takes a while to injure or kill snowmobilers by inflicting hypothermia, rivers and lakes can very quickly drown an unconscious PWC driver. Consider just a few sobering recent news stories from across Michigan that prove our point:

• A 17-year-old high school student was killed in Lake Fenton when she apparently stopped her PWC unexpectedly and her boyfriend, who was following behind her, collided with her jet ski.

• A 35-year-old Berkley woman died when her out-of-control jet ski crashed into a dock on Clear Lake. Police indicated alcohol might have been involved in this incident.

• Two people riding on a jet ski in Grand Rapids nearly drowned when they were swept over a dam on the Grand River, a harrowing event captured on this terrifying video.

• A lucky visitor to Michigan from Ghana in western Africa was miraculously rescued by state Department of Natural Resources conservation officers after he fell from a jet ski into 59-degree waters on Lake Huron.
• A Nevada man vacationing here died after his PWC collided with a 27-foot powerboat in Little Traverse Bay near Harbor Springs.

There Are the Deaths… and Then There Are the Injuries

The list of fatalities and near-death experiences could go on and on, but let’s stop for a moment and consider some of the serious injuries commonly associated with PWCs. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, jet ski riders in particular frequently suffer concussions, lacerations, internal injuries, and broken bones among other forms of bodily trauma. There were, horrifically, even several amputations resulting from jet ski accidents reported last year — and those are just the physical injuries not resulting in death. Let’s not forget that the Michigan DNR reports that drownings account for more than 80 percent of fatalities associated with boating. Other boat-related causes of mortality include trauma, heart attacks and hypothermia per U.S. Coast Guard statistics (of course, those fatality numbers also include people who tragically died on vessels other than PWCs).

How to Stay Safe and Legal on a PWC or Boat

As we mentioned in our article about boating safety last summer, there are numerous Michigan laws concerning boat registration and boater licensing. For instance, anyone born after June 30, 1996, who wants to drive a boat must obtain a Boating Safety Certificate that requires proven knowledge of safe boating practices and the maritime “rules of the road.” More particularly, there are a number of Michigan rules directly spelling out who can legally operate a Personal Watercraft in the state’s lakes, rivers and streams, specifically:

• No one under age 14 is allowed to operate a PWC. At all. Period. End of discussion. 

• Teens aged 14 and 15are permitted to legally operate a jet ski, but only if they have obtained the state boating safety certificate and are “accompanied on board by their parent, legal guardian or by a person who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian and is at least 21 years of age; or are operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than 100 feet from their parent legal guardian or by a person who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian and is at least 21 years of age.”
• The law goes on to say that people at least 16 years of age and born after Dec. 31, 1978, may operate a PWC by themselves, but only if they have obtained the fabled boating safety certificate. And finally, those fortunate individuals born on or before Dec. 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without restrictions.

Michigan outlines these and other rules related to watercraft operation in its 52-page official handbook of boating laws and responsibilities. We’d especially like to draw your attention to the critically important rule on page 20: A vital regulation specific to personal watercraft is that everyone aboard any jet ski must wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) regardless of age. No exceptions. The folks at United Marine Underwriters have kindly listed the particulars here for us: “Personal watercraft operators in the state of Michigan, along with anyone else riding on board, must wear a USCG approved Type I, II, or III life jacket; an inflatable personal floatation device is not allowed.” The U.S. Coast Guard further defines these various PDF options in its official Boater’s Guide, which also details other Coast Guard regulations that apply to anyone wishing to operate any type of marine vessel. Among them: approved PFDs must be available for each passenger and the driver on the boat; children age 13 and under must wear appropriately-sized PFDs at all times while underway; and distress signals along with fire extinguishers must be present on the vessel. You’ll find many more details on boating safety in Michigan on the DNR’s website, which also has the official Michigan Boating Accident Report Form – the maritime equivalent of a police report, which is used by law enforcement officers to detail any incidents, injuries, and deaths that occur on the state’s waterways. By the way, while boat insurance is not required in Michigan, the state’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services recommends considering coverage that offers physical damage and liability protection for boat owners beyond what’s covered by a typical homeowner’s policy. We strongly agree with their recommendation. Finally, here are some Michigan PWC-specific rules which should help everyone stay safe on the water:

• PWC operators must have a shut-off lanyard attached to the vessel’s ignition switch.
• Operating a PWC is illegal in Michigan between one hour before sunset and the following morning at 8 a.m. (Sunset is the time determined by the National Weather Service for your area.)
• Personal watercraft must be operated as to not make wakes when crossing within 150 feet behind another vessel — with the exception of another PWC.
• Operators of a PWC are not allowed to ride within 200 feet of any Great Lakes shoreline except at a no-wake speed, moving perpendicular to the shore.
• Except when docking or launching, PWC operators must not ride in water less than two feet deep; and then they must not exceed a no-wake speed.
• Harassing wildlife or disturbing aquatic vegetation with a PWC is illegal in the state of Michigan.

One final thing to consider is that other boaters often complain about PWC operators giving their favorite pastime a bad name by acting irresponsibly on the water. The BoatUS Foundation, a national organization advocating for boat owners, has published a guide for PWC operators which, among other helpful hints, includes a voluntary code of ethics to help PWC owners become better citizens on the water. As this group mentions, there are even some local jurisdictions around the country that are attempting to outlaw jet skis entirely because of the issues we’ve described. Please take their advice seriously to help keep boating – and personal watercraft – safe and legal for everyone to enjoy in our watery wonderland of a state.

If All Else Fails, We’ve Got Your Back

We hope you’ve found helpful information in this article that will make your time on a personal watercraft – or aboard any boat on our beautiful inland waterways – safer and more enjoyable. But we also know there are watercraft operators who choose to ignore the rules, act irresponsibly, operate their vessels under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you or someone you care about are injured by said operators, we want you to know that we’re here for you. We’re always just a phone call away at 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946). Or click here for details on our legal team dedicated specifically to helping people who have been injured in Michigan boating accidents receive compensation for their pain and suffering, lost income, medical expenses and more.