A jet ski is essentially the motorcycle of the motorboat world. While there are a host of different boat styles that can accommodate multiple riders, jet skis are small. They are not for large groups but rather for one person, possibly with a passenger. They are maneuverable and can be as much for recreation as they are for transportation across Lake Conroe.
People who enjoy a day on the water and the thrill of speed may want to spend a Saturday out on the lake. Unfortunately, the riders out on a jet ski assume a significant degree of risk. Crowds and drinking on Lake Conroe increases the risk even more. Kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders also face risk from speeding jet skis.
What makes jet skis so dangerous?
Little protection for the rider
Speed boats and other larger vessels provide an assortment of different safety features for passengers. Those features include storage spaces for personal flotation devices and structural protection in the event of a collision. A jet ski offers next to no protection for the people on board if a speeding ski boat strikes it on the water.
Additionally, the powerful engines on jet skis can lead to riders developing whiplash as they rapidly accelerate or turn. There is also the constant concern of a jet ski capsizing, which could lead to serious injury or a drowning incident if someone doesn’t have the right safety equipment.
Many opportunities for external risk
Jet skis are also a threat to many others out on the water. People operating larger vessels may not spot jet skis easily because of their small size. Additionally, jet ski riders have a bad habit of sometimes cutting it too close to other boats and kayaks, which could lead to a collision.
Jet ski riders could also fail to properly monitor their surroundings. They could sideswipe another boat, strike another jet ski or even collide with swimmers. Any of those incidents could potentially put someone in the hospital or worse.
Boating incidents can occur due to intoxication, negligent conduct and mechanical failure. Those harmed in jet ski incidents often need to pursue personal injury litigation because there may not be private insurance coverage available. Determining who is at fault is often the first step toward securing appropriate compensation when a fun day on a jet ski at Lake Conroe leads to injury or worse.