K38

SAFETY BEGINS HERE

We have so much to do all the time

Perception of Safety Reality

Safety means danger, and that means rules are in place to manage the human component to lend towards reduction of human errors.
These errors have a long list of potential mishaps looming if any pattern in the reasonable behaviors is ignored, and how often they are until a cumulative pattern emerges.

The common visual reference is ‘one link in a length of chain’, these links need to be dependent upon one another for strength, or not.

If one team member has a question and is unsure of the next stage, step, pattern or behavior, listen to them. They may become the safety link with their inquiry. Even if your ego is pricked; listen.

It’s time to slow things down for the team at the point of identifiable error and review the entire group and possibly equipment status to determine the validity of an appropriate and supporting answer if none were forthcoming.

This is a good position to review the mission and ethics of the team participants.

Selection is the determination of actions. Whatever we choose, we have to live with it, defend it and define it.

If we are teaching, we are responsible for the manner in which the information is shared and our role is to encourage the recipient to continue to work towards retention of the knowledge and its patterns.

Stubborn beliefs and strong opinions regarding the right and wrong way to do this and that, can be a big contrast from.

Each accident or near miss is a new opportunity to grow a stronger and safer program.
Good to go?

_________________________________

Posted: December 4, 2021

Come train with K38 and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
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Caution: Visit page (site) terms and conditions. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions and country of origin regulations. The opinions and information in this post is subject to change as industry alerts, methods or notices are administered through laws, rules, cautions, regulations, or industry standards and will not be reflected in the original post date. Use at your own discretion, risk and caution.

K38 Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education, jobsite safety and standards: Shawn is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers, Public Safety Agencies, Military and Rescue Water Craft operators. Dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care and competency

PWC COMPETITION SOLUTIONS

CHOICES

We are imperfect in our power, drama and expectations. It is possible to control and navigate specific behaviors and expectations based on leadership and team principles. This is a mutable relationship built upon trust and enforcement.

This trust is dependent upon expected exchanges agreed upon by determined rules and regulations. Trust on the racetrack is also lifesaving and sportsmanlike conduct for competitor, staff and spectator.

These relationships are specific between several entities, associate governing bodies and staff members, sponsors, competitors and their supporting teams, regional and national pride, culture, boating rules and regulations, maturity, spiritual presence, equipment compliance, physical ability, sanctioned rule books and expectations.

This is a complicated blend of human directives.

Racing has a distinct pattern to it. Racing is a game. In the game there are rules, actions, weather and water conditions, human interaction, equipment demands and dialogue. In this game there are liabilities, and risks. This game holds disappointments, tragedy, success, ambition, fulfillment and enforcement.

Facts are important because they decipher truth. It takes an interview process based on facts and where those facts are derived from and how they are interpreted to arrive at plausible conclusions. The truth must be accepted. Otherwise corruption is given allowance.

A person can have all the answer that are appropriate in the room, but if the audience denies the answers, then the neglect will continue to operate with poor results the audience demands.

Race preparation is an extensive process. It is costly and bears aspirations from both staff and participants. The demands are vast and complicated, when fatigue is an admixture a lot of volatile patterns can evolve, some are in the imagination and some are concrete fact.

The content that evolves and is transmitted for racing is complicated. It requires study, proper training, vetting and education.

Fundamental understandings and expectations may be in conflict. To move forward as a competent race community, we face a myriad level of chaotic events, and structures that are based in factual domains.

There are many people serving towards the goal of a podium finish. Only a select few individuals will attain the elevation of a Championship attempt let alone bear the #1 plate.

On Friday, the IJSBA Awards for Amateur Ski Lites were to be gifted their trophies. These competitors raced on the previous Wednesday, which means they wait an additional 2 days for their awards ceremony.

They were not called to the stand up on the podium in front of their race peers to receive their due recognition for World Championship earned placings. After waiting through the entire awards program for their class to be called up. How could this happen? We have to perceive a lot of contributing causes and reactions.

The awards announcer and responsible staff for the awards did a poor job reflecting sincerity regarding the lack of accountability and a deserved explanation and public apology from complaints received. They may not have been aware of the situation regarding the trophies.

This could be due to multiple factors, such as staffing issues, fatigue, it could have been a communication error, or the chain of command may have failed. Trophies were stated to have been stolen after the Awards were completed.

However, once the alarm was raised by the competitors themselves emergency actions could have taken place at that time to make amends and modify some solution for petition of error or acknowledgement. Who would be responsible for this action?

Staffing hierarchy structure would need to be clearly outlined with operational guidelines to ensure program success.

Along with the Amateur Ski Lites Champions, likewise the Pro Runabout 1100 Stock Class Champions did not receive their trophies.

This is intolerable at a World Championship event from what appears to be incompetence in managing an awards program in hindsight. Staff needs to make admission on this and not cower in ego defense. Admit the wrongs, identify the issues and fix them, now.

PREPARATION IS EXPENSE

There are also Technical Inspection calls that are in dispute. My question to staff is how familiar are you with the 2019 IJSBA Rule book and the interpretation of those rules? Who mentored you and signed you off after a vetting process? How were you tested and what evaluations occurred? What are your qualifications?

I also extend this responsible accountability to the competitors. Many who do not have English skills and staff has limited international language skills, do you understand the rules and the spirit of the rules? Did you experience frustration in understand and comprehension of rules or expressing them to others?

When we look at a problem you must also look at ourselves to find the answer. Communication is the best place to start.

Interpretations must be fact based. This begins with the Technical Inspection crew and Race Director along with Scoring or Registration (if that applies). It relies on the documents and inspection lists that are filled out for each entry. This is also a responsibility of those in Staging to be looking for any infractions as the race vessels come to the line. How is this noted and conducted if at all?

It is also a responsibility of the racer themselves, and their teammates to understand and ask effective questions far in advance if they are not understanding a specific issue.

This also means that the IJSBA needs a dedicated staff member who is highly trained in human relations communications (able to handle stressful situations and communicate with compassion and stand grand when needed) to be accessible on the race site from start to finish with language skills. This person needs an iPad to document each question and answer and load it into a database for access. This can support evidence based appeal processing. This iPad can also assist in language translations as needed.

However, in the IJSBA defense there may be secondary issues not exposed here that should be taken into consideration. This is the only way to gain understanding and equitable solutions. Blame is easy to project, solutions are what people step away from, because its uncomfortable to be held responsible, it requires time and effort.

We do not have the full story, only the expressions of competitors who did not receive the benefits of their efforts. There was a press release from the IJSBA stating that trophies were stolen and misappropriated, this could explain a lot, however the racers whose trophies were stolen should have been contacted as soon as this came to light individually. People understand hardship, they can deal with it.

Staff and Management need to be educated on the protocols and procedures of problems that may occur from unforeseen circumstances and have what is called an ‘action plan’ or what others would simply say ‘damage control’. Sincere apologies go a long way.
People can handle the truth, but not to be dismissed.

Here is a Pro Tip for the IJSBA staff and other venues: I propose a meeting, take notes, race stakeholders’ public comments, structure the complaints and the timeline of problems faced at the venue. Evaluate the issues that took place with fearless courage. Issue public apologies. Ensure these athletes, their teams and their sponsors are given a platform for recognition after the fact for their earned efforts.

Secondly; IJSBA needs to responsibly train staff members to a higher level of functionality with organizational solutions for secondary controls. Staff members need to be vetted, tested, evaluated and assessed. Some people may not be the right fit for this job and they have to go away. Their Character and principles may not align with altruistic work. Others deserve more support and encouragement.

These people deserve a stronger leadership platform to assist them in the safe and competent production of a legacy event.

Perhaps it will take novice and seasoned IJSBA staff will take this into consideration and care about their constituents they represent with a higher level of professionalism. It would be helpful if staff would remember these simple pressures that people are placed under.

There are emotional and physical demands, lack of language translations from staff to teams that lead to frustration and misunderstandings. Many competitors who travel from all over the world, pay high costs throughout the year to compete for qualifying for this event, acquiring equipment, funding, sponsorship and travel demands.

It is demanding for both the supporting staff as it is for the athletes and their teams. There is a lot of emotion, hopes, aspirations and disappointments that are experienced during an event like this. There is the political climate, territorial issues and personality conflicts to navigate.

The IJSBA has disenfranchised many seasoned race event staff personnel and competitors. Some are deserving and some are incompetent rulings.

There may be financial considerations in these changes, personality or management conflicts. Whatever it is, solutions are potential for advancing the mission, vision and goals of Championship race events. It takes both parties to work together, like a marriage it is not about both sides, it is about the sum of the whole.

This problem is not just for Havasu, but worldwide. This has left a great void in mentorship, safety and event flow from crews and leaders. The time is now to address these concerns that have been voiced publicly by participants and former staff for a few years and organize a stakeholder meeting.

In defense of the current and past IJSBA staff, many are not paid high salaries, or they are volunteering their time, taking away from their work, livelihood and families. They sacrifice a lot to be a part of this amazing venue! They work long hours, in adverse conditions, and perhaps only once a year, or at local events, they may not have any training. Some of the rules and manners of racing may be different from where they are coming from in relation to this event.

Staff, you must hear the things you do not want to hear, you may shut down and become adversarial, that is not to your advantage.

Some of you may not be as great as you think you are. This goes the same for competitors. If you want to look at integrity in motorsports it begins with you.

Fearless review and inventory of your mistakes is the only way to grow the sport in unity. It’s not one against the other, it is everyone combined as a community invested in the culture and spirit of a dangerous and stressful motorized power sport. Otherwise carry on with the ‘Clown Down’ and drama, because it will only continue to slide downward with you driving it. It is your reputation you should be concerned about, not ego.

Do not expect affirmation or fame, expect sacrifice, hard work and personal achievement.

There are intolerable personalities who will continue to be a determinant to themselves and the race community by their own contempt and avoidance. There is nothing we can do to support folks such as this, they are unable to evolve.

LAZINESS IS AN ENDING

However, we as a culture can evolve by addressing known problems or recurring problems without ego or spitefulness. It will take effort and that is the problem. Some will inflict politics and strategy into dominance to undermine control. That is and has always been a challenge, but with personalities focused on unity a lot of that can be enforced and subsequently dismissed.

This is a strong justification for staff training and mentorship. Instead of focusing on the negativity, I have addressed concrete issues to solve. You may have others to bring to light. What are the solutions?

I am offering a solution.

If any noble IJSBA staff member who is willing and has the volition to further their competition event management skills, I would like to offer free training, mentorship and guidance to assist you in professionally developing your skill sets. I have the answers.

I also extend this same invitation to any race competitors who are interested in professionally developing their race career. This invitation will stand until the deadline of October 24, 2019 to allow enough time for sincerity in considering the truth of these matters for those who care and are willing to be constructive in resolution.

This is not about ego, company, nation or team bias or political affiliation, it is about competency in race management for both staff and competitors for power sport safety and competence. This commentary is positive in spirit and driven for the purpose of creating solutions and to deny future drama, blaming, shaming and mistrust of a sport that I helped develop along with my colleagues. Stand with us.

I have a strong pedigree in racing events and event management. However, I acknowledge that I have in the past made mistakes and I did make corrective measures after the fact. Today I remain in regret over some of my decisions that had negative effects on others. However, I determined not to make them again which I did not, and to apply myself towards a higher level of dedication to service, safety, accountability and communication towards others.

It is not easy to change, but it is the only way to move forward. Otherwise expect the same results. These are not new issues, they are just growing. In 2012 these same concerns were presented to the race community by myself and others, its now 7 years later and the issues are deteriorating. Many new racers have a sub-par race platform they enjoy today because they have nothing to scale it against. Those of us who are legacy pioneers know the difference.

What I learned about my mistakes was that I was not fully prepared to meet the demands I wanted to manage; I did not receive training because there was no source for such competency.

I had to retrain myself. In owning a mistake, the goal is not to repeat it. Once negligence is established as an awareness it is up to us collectively and individually to alter course. This means we must hear the truth, the hard facts, the mistakes and the full understanding of the situation and its reciprocal effects.

We must admit that these problems may have ancillary options we can understand and should. Ignorance is not an excuse. Safety is a behavior. Racing is not Fair. Staffing cannot rely merely on having a good heart, one must have competence and structure. Racers must come to an event fully prepared.

Not all racers are ready for the race track, they may not belong on a race track and therefore their scrutiny is most important. Do your homework, study, prepare, find a mentor or a coach, don't just show up to the starting line. Show up as a representative that understands the history, rulebook, water and your boat.

There is no value in pointing out problems if a solution is not offered. It is up to us as individuals to decide right now, what kind of a staff or competitor do we want to be? Do you want to be the person in the room or on the racetrack others will be able to depend upon?

The real question here is what are you willing to do to make effective changes? What effort are you willing to exert for solutions?

The past cannot be changed, but the future can be addressed. It begins with you, or it ends with you.

Private message this page PWC Competition if you are interested in accepting my proposal.
Those who do will not be disappointed, be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Shawn Alladio
10.16. 2019

Take the Survey and Contribute to Change

SEA-DOOÂź LINQℱ COOLER – POTENTIAL ENTRAPMENT AND SUFFOCATION HAZARD

RECALL MODELS

Bombardier Recreational Products has issued a Recall Notice for select Sea Doo Watercraft.

Follow the link at the BRP

recall notice

What should you do?

Our records indicate that you have purchased either a Fish Pro personal watercraft with the cooler or the accessory LinQ cooler (P/N 269800817).

Which models are involved?

Model year 2019 Sea-Doo Fish Pro.

What is the potential problem?

The cooler latch can automatically lock when the lid closes, allowing a person to become locked inside, posing entrapment and suffocation hazards.

To confirm that your VIN (Vehicle identification Number) is affected or that you have an affected cooler sold as an accessory, contact your authorized Sea-Doo dealer or BRP at 1-888-272-9222 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern time 7 days a week.

What should you do?

Go to an authorized Sea-Doo dealership with this letter and the cooler to have it updated. The parts to provide the remedy to this condition should be available on July 22nd, 2019. For administrative reasons, BRP is asking you to bring this letter at the dealership.
In the meantime, consumers should immediately put the coolers out of the reach of children.

What to do if you feel this notice is an error?

This notice was mailed to you according to the most current information we have available. If any information in this notice is incorrect, please contact BRP at your earliest convenience.

Check your model

If you have questions, need assistance, or to find your nearest authorized BRP Sea-Doo dealer:

In the US call 1-888-272-9222
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern time 7 days a week.

Your continued satisfaction with your BRP products is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this action in the interest of your safety. Therefore the “Quick Latch” feature will be discontinued from production on those coolers but will retain its latching function. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

After-Sales Service Department

Link to BRP press release
__________________
Posted: July 28, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

DEATH BECOMES YOU

WHO WANTS TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO KILL A SURFER WITH THEIR PERSONAL WATER CRAFT?

It’s going to be someone, so how about you? How well prepared are you to prevent killing someone’s husband, wife, mother, father, brother or perhaps your best friend! Let’s call out the problems and the individuals and deal straight up with these recurring altercations and embarrassment caused to our Personal Water Craft community.

Death can be accidental. We say that accidents can be prevented right? At what point to we decide to apply the prevention, before or after death?

I read another deserving complaint from a surfing vs. PWC incident recently which is the inspiration of this story, one of a long line of them from around the world honestly.

Our Personal Water Craft (PWC) community needs to take responsibility for these actions and stand up against the liabilities. Not everyone deserves these negative labels and we will not tolerate disrespectful or ignorant operators because of that projected negativity on those of us who do the right thing.

Read this story here: Gold Coast Jet Skier Problems

And this one: Jet Skiers Not Being Responsible

And this: Jet Ski Operations Bring Safety Concerns

This: Safe Speed Around Others

Let’s help them so they can aim to higher boating capability and be safe while doing it, we all deserve that! It’s better than slinging spite, let’s get to admissions and corrections and hold one another accountable.

The internet does not lie regarding the complaints stacking up in the surfing world. Give the paddle surfers their voice and listen to what they are expressing. Surfing has always had frictional problems, but now it has boat problems. Once SUP problems, add foil problems, access for personal pursuit is varied:

1. Paddle
2. Power

Review this now-Determination of the following:

A. Reckless or Negligent Operation of a Vessel
B. Reasonable and Prudent Operations

Determining operations fault, operating at a rate of speed and in proximity to another vessel so that either operator is required to swerve at the last minute to avoid collision. Make sure you thoroughly research the laws surrounding this in your State or country of origin.

How familiar are you with emergency and accident procedures?

If you say and hold a certificate for boating you should know these and be able to define them. If you cannot do that your training and instruction failed you, you need to stop your program now and refresh. In fact, constantly update!

Do you have a radio or EPIRB/PLB and understand the following:

1. Mayday Mayday Mayday
2. Pan Pan Pan
3. International aircraft signal
4. Channels 16, 21, 22, 23
5. Accident Reporting
6. Visual Distress Signals
7. Monitor weather channel
8. Registration, education, insurance and license requirements
9. Uniform State Waterway Marking System
10. Aids to Navigation
11. Navigation Signals
12. Fog Signals
13. Operational law

If any of these are unknown to you the solution is simple. Start learning, seek training, and don't stop.

Power is the ultimate risk of 'gross liability'. It begins with the individual at the helm, and is put into motion by decisions they make.

If you have a paddle craft or swimmer in the USA you also have a 5 m.p.h. zone, with the exception of public safety agencies responding to a call for lifesaving. Most surf zones are off limits for power boats to be in those areas, permission revoked due to the obvious safety threat.

For instance in California many cities have rules such as this: No person may operate a vessel at a speed greater than five (5) miles per hour within 100 feet of a swimmer or surfer or within 200 feet of a beach frequented by swimmers. Within 100 feet of shore, or within 100 feet of another vessel.

Lineups are crowded, there is never a justification for a PWC in the lineup unless it’s under permit from a special event or far away from others, in legal permitted operation zones if they exist.

It’s not just about you, paddlers are more vulnerable and you are a direct threat.

Yeah, of course it’s cool! Even though you can get more waves faster via a PWC pony ride, have more fun surfing with your friend, and by step offs - saving energy and increasing barrel potential, don’t do it around others.

NOBODY HAS THESE DISCUSSIONS

Until an attorney is present. How about if you kill yourself, what will that mean to your family? What do you think the final seconds of your life will be worth as you slip away?

Was it worth it or could you have stopped the flow? This is not a noble ending, you are worth so much more.

Surely you are valuable and have things you want to do, so make your behaviors equal to your value.

Your absence will be horrible, a horrific tragedy for those you leave behind. Let that sink in. You don’t want to go to prison for accidental homicide.

Take inventory and start to look at your deepest truths of vessel operational accountability.

This is not abstract, it’s a way of being and we all need strong mentors for the nature of our soul.

You need to mediate your tragedy or your success.

The Kaleidoscope of athletic pursuit is not reliant on the action, but the preparation of its success.

That requirement is one of a burden of tremendous responsibility. It’s quadrupled when you are at the helm of a motorized vehicle. It’s either used for the pursuit of excellence or it’s a 1,000 lb. bomb waiting to blow.

Personal Water Craft (PWC) are incredible power boats. They are modern in scope and have given us greater freedom and the ability to pursue dreams, careers, competitions, film and television, catch great fish, enjoy family gatherings, friendly club excursions, commune with nature, explore, experience incredible adventures and save lives, thousands of lives.

BENNIE AND THE JETS
That is the benefit of owning or operating a PWC; the glory of freedom.

The problem with Personal Water Craft is people. It begins with the registered owner(s) who are legally responsible by law for everything that happens with that craft and whom they bring on-board or loan their boat to operate.

The rebate check can quickly become the registered owners friends and family members the owner allows to operate. There is nothing wrong with a PWC. The risk and danger is the decisions a human puts into motion while operating a PWC.

There are too many poor examples not to have noticed this by the year 2019. Personal Water Craft came into the market place as we know them back in 1974. We have plenty of history to track, yet each generation starts over at the beginning, losing the insights of the creators of this sport. This is a dangerous pattern.

They have progressed and become popular modern power boats to own. They provide us with opportunity. They save money on storage due to their size, they are easy to transport, not difficult to maintain if one actually understands what that responsibility means.

The internet offers you the quickest way to intelligent operations. There are literally no more excuses available for anyone to hide behind.

Cool Beans! Step Off Surfing/bodyboarding, Tow surfing, Tow Foiling, Caddy Rides, new ways to get more waves or to use as a film platform for personal use or professional captures.

The best seamanship skills I have witnessed in recent years comes from the PWC fishing community. They have invested a significant amount of money into their rigs. They have communication devices, they monitor the weather, they study nautical charts, they know the seasons. They take risks but they have fairly effective measures for their outings in place regarding safety.

Recreational tours are becoming more popular. Many of these people think they are prepared but they need to ramp it up two levels. They are using fuel systems that are portable and really need to get an inspection and get those boats signed off by a mechanic. Risk of explosion and fuel spills are imminent especially if they capsize or lose their craft underway.

Falling overboard can cause injury, and towing from long distances is a study of itself.

If used for the purpose of lifesaving, proper and current qualification training and scrutiny of Coxswain candidates and equipment is required if not necessary. Reviews and critical assessments are annual, accidents are reviewed and remedial action is applied swiftly.

It’s a true vessel of our times; it’s modern, fast, and aggressive and compliments our competitive nature. But that needs to be harnessed and not unleashed recklessly.

If this describes you, where do you begin?

You back up. Pick your poison, there is risky solutions and both can be horrible or equal depending upon the challenging situation you entertain. You can choose the one you are willing to suffer with, engage your dopamine, be willing to know what you are doing, who you are and what you are willing to risk.

Go back to your foundation. Review your basic boating course you had to take and assess your responsible behaviors.

Once you master that you move forward to listing all the potential harm you can cause. Such as wear your lifejacket, use your engine cut off switch properly, the basics.

Don’t be an incompetent operator that is easy fodder for the twitter mobs. And if you do, you deserve it.

You decide, you can become tyrannical in your pursuits and restrict your possibilities and you can damage community. When you cut corners, you increase the associated costs. You don’t want to lose that chance and squander the opportunity to be great because you may not get it back again.

BOATING IS EXPENSIVE

If you are not prepared to be economically realistic with Personal Water Craft ownership don’t get one. Resist, avoid, walk away and don’t succumb to mediocrity.

Pay up properly and understand the investment ratio to hours of use. The stakes are too high. What are some of the items you need?

1. Payment of the craft and registration fees
2. Boaters insurance, life insurance (make your will while you are at it)
3. Hourly maintenance schedule and inspection log book
4. Boating Education & recurring education
5. Ensure anyone who comes on board your PWC has training to protect your reputation, livlihood and insurance
6. Spare parts, mechanic fees, diagnostic checks
7. Trailer-maintenance, tires, axles, electrical, tie downs, registration fees (tow vehicle/hitch)
8. Personal Protective Equipment: Lifejacket(s), wetsuit, booties, gloves, eye protection
9. Communication systems: Radio, Whistle, GPS, trackers
10. Government required onboard safety equipment properly packed, waterproofed and stowed
11. Fuel and fluids (silicone, marine grease, wash down, cleaning agents)
12. Towable Aquaplane Devices (TAD) accessories (foils, rescue boards, towlines, inflatables)

Start with death and go backwards. Make admissions, visualize accidents you have read about and place your name in the storyline:
‘Jet Skier dies, body missing, wasn’t wearing a lifejacket, family grieves, search continues’

Here is what a lot of people do to evade responsibility, until it’s too late:

‱ I can kill somebody and it will be an accident (but not really)
‱ I can kill myself and my family and friends will deal with the ramifications of my choices
‱ I can destroy the Personal Water Craft and try to claim insurance on it when I was in a ‘no-go’ zone, so I will lie about
the damages and location
‱ I can kill one of my friends or somebody I didn’t know, maybe more than one person, but I will meet their family in court
after my arrest and impound of my Personal Water Craft and face my family.
‱ Didn’t file a float plan, sunk my PWC, expect a ride from rescue services, didn’t learn my lesson
‱ I can seriously injure myself or others so that I cannot go to work and pay my bills. I may need therapy or rehabilitation
and I don’t have the right medical policy to cover that. Maybe a friend will set up a GoFundMe and slightly lie about why
I need the money, not how I created the situation and I knew better.
‱ Keep going, you can imagine all the potential items that can go wrong by your own volition.

COXSWAIN-OWNER PERSONAL WATER CRAFT SURF ZONE LIABILITY

This is something you need to attend to and it is worthwhile for not just you but everyone in the lineup. Don’t be blind in your selective situations.

Remember what is lying behind everything you select, every action, every turn and decision? Don’t bring on suffering because it is a tremendous burden and nobody deserves that potential risk.

Many PWC operators and their passengers are not boaters. They are thrill seeking reckless riders.

They ride above safe conditions, they place their passengers in harms way. They do not know how to right a capsized PWC, let alone understand that they are the ones capsizing it in the first place. They rarely carry proper marine communication devices. Very few are savvy enough to file a float plan.

They do not know what a buddy system is and if they do, selfishly ride off into the horizon ignoring their buddy. They rarely have functional emergency equipment onboard. They don't know how to navigate offshore, they will not spend money for anything that may effect their very life but want more horsepower.

This list is too long to mention. All you have to do is a google search on PWC accidents and the list of horrors is pages long. All preventable.

Surfers are not boaters. Not when they are surfing. That is a different activity.

Most surfers who use a Personal Water Craft are incompetent when it comes to seamanship skills, they get lucky a lot. then it happens, somebody gets hurt. Commonly they sensationalize the recovery results of their mishap because it suddenly got real and they did not prepare for 'real'.

They become instant heroes of the surf in rescue mode. They will call themselves rescuers at this point. Because they have proof on video they made it! Next you will see them running to take a CPR or First Aid Course.

Shouldn't that have happened long before they got into the water or when they first bought their PWC? They almost prepare backwards. Most of it is again poor mentorship leading them in the wrong directions first.

CPR and First Aid are common everyday needs that even businesses entertain for their employees. For Surfers its as if the big red light went off and oh we have CPR, okay.... good. Finally!

How long have you been surfing without CRP skills or basic first aid? If a surfer was a Junior Lifeguard they would have had this training as a child, or a seasonal lifeguard. More training discipline applies for a full time lifeguard. Never let the liability mindset slip away because of the activity. Hold onto it for dear life.

How long does it take for Lifeguards and surfers to catch up to the boating community and step outside of that waterman mentality and make friends with boating safety instructors who can get them where they need to go in competent training course based on science and evidence?

Note: Waterman as a term is a seasoned boater on the east coast and southern areas of the USA, so do not be confused with a surfer who calls themselves a waterman!

Merriam Dictionary: waterman: [noun] one who works or lives on the water: such as. a man who makes his living from the water (as by fishing). a person skill in rowing or boating, a boatman who plies for hire usually on inland waters or harbors.

Research these terms:
1. Boatsman
2. Boatsmanship
3. Boatswain
4. Watermanship
5. Coxswain
6. Helmsman
7. Skipper
8. Crew

If they had these boating skills the majority disregard using them on a PWC. They claim training but when challenged their training qualification is worthless. If I were to skill assess a surfer on a Personal Water Craft they would determine their current state of operations and realize their shortcomings in one hour of training.

Evidence does not lie. The great news, the increase would be incredible and their performance increase measurable!

So what is the point of wasting time? Make it 'right as rain'.

Those who forsake their boating basics easily become reckless and negligent in their operations incremental over time, sometimes due to peer pressure and have a finite disregard for the safety of others. It becomes a a slow seep and a lack of seamanship skills on a slippery slope of decline.

The evidence is based on videos they share. Their Towable Aquaplane Devices (TAD) are not secured safely, they do not use the engine cut off switch, they do not maintain the craft properly and have never taken a mechanic maintenance course. Many I question have not read their owner's manual and do not own a shop manual.

They lack torque specifications, properly tooling and their pumps are generally blown but they do not know it. Evidence is a tricky business, its hard to decline the science of fact. I know firsthand, that is how I learned, from those failures and I made a commitment towards being a competent boater.

I invite everyone to do the same. We can apply this same argument to recreational Personal Water Craft users and owners and many public safety agencies.

It’s because these Operators have had poor mentors or they have imitated poorly themselves, and they fail to question repetitive results that are not favorable. The goal is to become an Able Seaman!

Or they simply disregard their training and boating safety because their ego is unbalanced on a dangerous precipice. Ego we need, yes, but not when it comes to learning, save that for the activity. Good mentors would call them out and set them straight ASAP!

A few get it and are respectful and we don’t hear about them because they do not draw attention to their mishaps. Their routine is secure and organized.

The noise usually comes at the expensive of a catastrophic failure. It’s not cool to gawk at a mishap online. Nobody should take joy in knowing somebody experienced a catastrophic injury or accident. We should care and encourage them to get additional training or knowledge. We should not celebrate their failures.

No they are not heroes for surviving a mishap. The scope of sensationalism should not penalize a gifted athlete for anything less than surfing the best way they can attend or their Operator executing a seamless recovery. They don’t have to be in the surfzone either, trailering is just as dangerous on the road, but closer to shore they become more noticeable. Cameras don’t lie.

Think about how a PWC operator in the surf line doesn’t realize that others in the lineup are insignificant in populated surfing areas. This is not just for towsurfing teams but for recreational Personal Water Craft Operators who enjoy 'jumping waves'.

This brings a moral burden of expedient pleasure of liberty for them to pursue their short term operational goal at the expensive of delusional weakness that others cannot shrug off. Why is it delusional, a strong word? Because laws have been put in place due to past PWC operators causing harm and disrupting the safety of beach users experience. We have decades of precedents.

Each generation has lost what the other generation ruined for them, and their children and grandchildren. Those today are stuffed into small niches where liability increases due to close proximity and lack of safety services.

It’s an easy pathway to disregard others, and it’s dangerous. And the mob of reason is growing. PWC surfers/safety/tow-in folks need to sit down and listen to the naysayers, they need to get in front of the public audience and listen.

Their migratory damage has already ruined great towsurfing, wave jumping and surfing areas around the world that are now off limits. Ask me how I know?

Let’s talk about South Africa and Mavericks, and Australia where they pump up justifications by their own actions for opposition to ban them by their lofty carnage video posts and hashtags to redirect the viewer.

Look closely at those hashtags for hints.

Then they cry foul and lean heavily on the 'rescue and safety' aspect of a Rescue Water Craft aka PWC they had nothing to do with to build that identity. We could call them poachers or imitators because they do not represent our community standards at all.

They steal the honor of rescue boat actions to defend the utility of their athletic pursuits and hide behind their mishaps. Let's be honest about this and stop baying the PWC safety message unless they do it properly, its a sham. Its easy to fix as well beforehand.

Where to start? Boating qualifications that are legally binding in a court of law, not your buddy saying you are okay as a waterman riding a Personal Water Craft. What boating organization scrutinized that program and approved it for use? Where are legal documents that certified that program and how did they base their scrutiny on our maritime requirements?

Your qualification should accompany strict operational guidelines and rules and have an expiration date and be backed by a qualified national boating program. Those programs need annual inspections. I have only witnessed a few of them to be true worldwide. The rest are suspect.

Many PWC users have RESCUE on the side of their boats and they are not rescuers, they need to remove those stickers and get into a qualified boat program that tests and evaluates them. Once they pass their scrutiny they will be able to place the stickers on their craft. Then they have to defend their boating actions from that point forward.

No more free for all BS sticker club placebo. If your instructor has not been evaluated theirs and your certificate of qualification is worthless.

That does not mean they cannot pull of a recovery or assist, because they can! Most of the rescues around the world are done by everyday heroes, recreational PWC operators conduct more recoveries than trained occupational Coxswains because they are on site.

The issue is liability. You know that risk management thing everyone talks about! But they are not discussing what it means in terms of Admiralty Law, Maritime Law, probably because they do not know about it themselves.

You need to know that application of boating law when an investigation adds you to the inquiry! Don't think you can evade it, you cannot. It's no different the vehicle laws and regulations.

For instance did you know the navigational Rules of the Road apply in the lineup? If you said yes, you passed!

Everyone is waiting for them to kill someone so they can pressure the authorities to ban them forever and spew hate. Who will it be?

RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE ARE GREATLY ADMIRED

Responsible people aim high, they don’t embrace the lowest denominator, they don’t jump off a cliff, they climb it. They are platinum, not copper. Everyone else is a distraction and a potential problem waiting to burden others.

Responsible people do their homework, they work hard, they are professional and not fragmented, and they comprehend risk and don’t want to hurt anyone. They want to succeed and are not afraid of it. They want to protect their sponsors and those they work with. They care about their family and friends.

They are not lazy, they are meaningful people with purpose. They stand out because there is something good in them fundamentally and they adhere to considerate behaviors so they don’t get sucked down by imposters.

Recreational PWC riders also like jackass attempts at gaining attention on social media. The film dumb stunts, spraying their friends down and perpetuating the stigma we face against their selfish antics. They end up in the news, exposed, and possibly facing a lawsuit if injuries occurred.

It gets real when you cannot go to work and take care of your life, so no better argument exists for this story!

They have very little boating etiquette, they cut off fishing boats, ride too close to other vessels and have no enforcement of navigational rules of the road. Their distance depth perception is awkwardly unsafe. They love to jump boat wakes and often have landed in the back of the boat they chase killing innocent people on board.

They are not schooled in how to operate their PWC efficiently, they complain to the dealership as if they did something wrong, when in fact its they way they take care of their PWC that is the culprit.

Those who disrespect our PWC boating culture are migratory thieves. They do not architect the future for our community, they destroy opportunity. It happens in the recreational PWC community and we see it more often in the surfing community because they love the camera and media attention.

Some of this is due to sponsorships or hopes of, and they too will sell out for silly mishap likes. Mutable problems of wrong that hold progress hostage. Sponsors will sell an athlete out if their mishap video renders millions of views when their amazing surfing video goes unnoticed. They become disposable assets.

These imitators are not the center of the surfing world, they are casting the future potential of dangerous boating behaviors into the lineup. It’s like choosing between good and evil and that is entirely on them. This is an ultimate responsibility of your or their operational safety and everyone in a 300’ foot radius you could impact in 100 different ways, and it needs to be made right.

This is not about short term pleasure or ego, or the primary call of adventure that is so terribly seductive, it’s the protection of the temptation to resist harming others.

POWER IS KNOWLEDGE IS FUNCTION IS THIRST

See people in the lineup? A boat dead head, a fishing boat under tow, a SUP or kiter? Give wide berth, slow down, alter course, resist being you and become a prudent mariner. Burns to read this doesn’t it? It will burn red hot if it’s true and sting like a mo’fucker, because the conscious of those guilty will not deny our flaws.

If the surf community is pissed off, listen to them and heed their advice. Drive away and find another wave, private but be prepared for your safety and those around you.

The wave cannot be blamed. The wave did not cause loss of control of the PWC, you did. You put the PWC there, you made the decision to position it, and you need to be competent enough to manage that choice. Have you even read the Owner’s Manual yet? If not, write to me and I will send you one. Solutions are easy.

Have you considered the audience? Take a close look at a lineup all the way to the sandy shore of the nearshore drift. Do you have a right to take away their opportunity and elevate yours? Can you illustrate what their thoughts and fears may be observing you’re positioning? You need to do this.

You need to be them and they need to be you. If it doesn’t add up you are in the wrong place and have no business being there.
Is it illegal? Then you deserve to lose your boater license, be rolled back to training and having your vessel parked until you correct your safety behaviors, while you pay any necessary fines.

It’s a privilege to operate a boat, don’t blow it because you are impulsive!

THE POINTS WHERE THINGS GO WRONG
‱ Close proximity to surfers or swimmers
‱ Speed of PWC
‱ Reckless negligent operation of a motorized vessel
‱ Not wearing an approved lifejacket
‱ Not using the Engine Cut Of Switch properly
‱ Not maintain the vessel (not seaworthy)
‱ Operating in unsafe conditions or overloading your vessel
‱ Not having a tow line that is functional
‱ Not knowing how to right a capsize Personal Water Craft
‱ Violation of any Local, State, Federal, Province, Prefecture, Sanctuary, laws, rules or regulations
‱ Swell, wave height, water depth, shoreline, tidal concerns
‱ Time of day
‱ Type of PWC being used-weight displacement, not to be operated in surf over 6.5’
‱ How many persons on board (POB)
‱ Directional maneuvering of the PWC
‱ Coxswain competency training for surf operations
‱ Coxswain PWC license/boater ID card
‱ PWC Insurance, registered owner liability
‱ Required government safety equipment to be carried on board (inspected-minimum carriage)
‱ Approved, properly sized and fitted lifejacket (PFD) for all persons on board (POB)

HOW MUCH IS YOUR REPUTATION WORTH?
For some people, it’s not even worth the price of a Lifejacket. Their life is as cheap as $75.00 USD. I can get a really nice dinner for that!

But when you need it, you cannot afford it because it’s surfer and lifeguards have this chronic fear of being able to duck dive a wave. It’s a very powerful jet driven boat, it’s not a surfboard, we are not duck diving.

If you have fear that you are going to lose the boat in the surf, there is a reason why you are afraid, and you will lose your boat. That means you have no business being there and don’t know what you are doing with it.

The irony is how big wave surfers cling to these inflatable devices but their PWC partners are afraid to wear a lifejacket
makes no sense at all. Argument is over.

You are a boater first, everything else when you are at the helm is inconsequential in a court of law. How will you present yourself to a judge and jury if called into court, what defense will you be able to present?

How about changing the conversation? Turn it all around, turn up the volume. Start hanging out with competent PWC people who care and know what they are doing, associate yourself with knowledge instead of distractions that do not want you to succeed.

Here is what you can respect, and what you can do to guide your pursuits by discipline that will allow you to achieve measurable success:

1. GPS Tracking device properly charged and tethered to Coxswain
2. Marine VHF radio properly tethered to Lifejacket of Coxswain
3. Water Whistle (leash) on Lifejacket of Coxswain
4. File a Float Plan
5. Never go out alone, use the buddy system
6. Train effectively, don’t burn gas, train with purpose
7. Observe the weather and water reports (lightning is a no-go) while underway
8. Read the Owner’s Manual, know how to do field repairs on the water and prepare your craft for launch
9. Carry proper tools and emergency supplies
10. Go over a safety plan in case things go bad or you end up helping others or need assistance yourself
11. Introduce yourself to the local authorities. Ask them to inspect your boat and give you advice
12. Know the area seasonally and study the local nautical charts, map out your timeframes and distance
13. Start logging your training and vessel maintenance, become a prudent mariner
14. Join this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RWCCoxswains/
15. Or this one: https://www.facebook.com/groups/KawasakiJetski/
16. Become the Solution - Get competency evaluated by an accredited course provider

Join something worthy of your life, get on board with a trusted resource, invest properly, stop wasting your time. Get ahead of the costly 'mistake curve'.

You don't have to be the first person, so get over yourself, you can never be the first person if you didn't create it. You have imitated from other people and you owe your mentors credit. That is what helps us check our ego.

I would like to pay homage to my ancestors, my DNA and to Brad Southworth and Virgil Chambers for what they taught me, and Pamela Dillon. These are my teachers. Thank you to Mr. Jacobson and to Kawasaki Motors Corporation for putting this into motion. To all their employees and to the other OEM's who got on board years later.

THE ENDING
I learned from my PWC mistakes when I began in 1979, I know this business and human behavior. I have over 37,000 hours of training alone. I own that and I am still alive because I paid attention. Our shortcomings, our struggles are real.

Strong words shared here because the truth of these matters will awaken a person who needs correction and determine that your/their awareness will no longer permit you/them to remain asleep.

Trust me, that mishap that death or that injury is coming like a freight train on your wrong way track and you won’t be able to stop it, but you can today.

If your friends cared about you and much as I do in this moment, you would not be reading my advice, getting pissed off and angry, wanting to call me some crappy name.

Because your real friends should have squared you away immediately and pointed you in the right direction. But they didn’t.

You can redeem yourself individually when you are no longer overwhelmed with the risk and embrace the power of scale you can incorporate in your operational efficiency. Imagine what responsibility will add to your ability to solve problems that you need.

1. Save Time
2. Save Money
3. Increase efficiency
4. Increase athletic potential
5. Accessory and PWC are not damaged
6. No hospital bills
7. No down time or frustration
8. Cause no harm

You won’t have to avoid the short term at the expense of the long term gain, its happiness in your pursuits that gives you greater purpose and kills off the cynical binge of disaster.

Possibly I am old enough to be your mother or your grandmother, and there is great wisdom in that. I care about your reputation and your life and you better listen because you are not replaceable. Learn from the first or second generation, the source. Respect your elders and predecessors. Listen to them as I do mine.

Somebody has to speak to you about your true value and care enough to say the reasons why you don’t want these mistakes. You cannot afford to screw up your life. The price is too high for you to bear, it’s not a place you want to put yourself in.

This is a reason to become better than what you were doing, offer it to yourself and increase your value. Argue any of these points in this story with evidence science and fact. Because if you are willing to investigate you are trainable. you can learn.

Many people cannot be trained. And I would suggest you not get on a boat with those persons.

Now start caring about yourself properly. And remember; I am you and you are me.

Remember who you are.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Posted: February 27, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Content Creator: Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

California Boating Accident Report

REPORTING

ACCIDENT REPORT FORMS

Boating Accident Report (BAR) Form
Boat Operator Use

BAR

Vessel Accident Report (VAR) Form
Law Enforcement Use

VAR-DPR128
VAR-DPR128A
VAR-2-DPR128B

Go to this link to download the form: BAR report

WHEN & HOW TO REPORT A BOATING ACCIDENT

WHEN?
According to state law, a boat owner/operator must report their boat accident to California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) if the accident results in death, disappearance or injury to a person requiring medical attention beyond first aid, damage to a vessel or other property exceeding $500 or complete loss of a vessel, regardless of value. Boat accidents must be reported within specific time periods.

Reports must be submitted to DBW within 48 hours of an accident that involves:

Death occurring within 24 hours of the accident
Disappearance of a person
Injury beyond first aid
Reports must be submitted to DBW within 10 days of an accident that involves:

A person who dies more than 24 hours after an accident occurs
Property damage exceeding $500, or there is a complete loss of a vessel

HOW?

The operator, owner, or, if neither are able, another party involved in an accident that fits one of the above criteria should complete a boating accident report (Form BAR-1)

Bodily Injury or Vessel Damage

Send In Your Report

Reports should be signed and mailed, or faxed to:

California Division of Boating and Waterways
Attn: Boating Accident Unit
One Capitol Mall, Suite 410
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 327-1772

When submitting reports by mail, keep a copy for your records.

PURPOSE
DBW collects and analyzes boating accident reports to develop safety strategies and make recommendations in the interest of reducing boating accidents, injuries and fatalities on California’s waterways.

Information contained in the reports is confidential and may not be used in prosecuting any violations which may have occurred, nor in civil litigation of any kind.

Each year, DBW releases a comprehensive study of boating accidents in California, which provides information on accidents, fatalities, and injuries. This report, California Boating Accident Report, includes special topics such as personal watercraft, youth operators, and fatal alcohol-related accidents.
_____________________

Posted: 11.3.2018

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Content Creator: Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

Public Safety Law Loan Program

Yamaha or Kawasaki ‘Law Loan Program’

Yamaha or Kawasaki ‘Law Loan Program’

This program was set up through the efforts of the PWIA (Personal Water Craft Industry Association) in partnership with the manufacturers.

This is NOT a mandatory program for dealerships, it is voluntary and up to the discretion of the participating dealership based off of past positive or negative experiences with public safety agencies or a willingness to serve the community with quality resources.

You can go to the following websites to start the investigative process:

1. Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA
Kawasaki Dealer Locator

2. Yamaha Motors Corporation USA
Yamaha Dealer Locator

Kawasaki JET SKI STX 15-F

Participating Dealerships

Locate the nearest dealerships in your region. You will be looking at a 3-seater Personal Water Craft (PWC). Prepare a list of questions to ask the dealer representative.

Some public safety agencies also request for additional assets, however we are only going to discuss the Rescue Water Craft (RWC) which is the occupational term for our type of maritime asset, known as Personal Water Craft recreationally.

1. Yamaha-WaveRunnerÂź

2. Kawasaki-JET SKIÂź (Ultra LX or STX 15-F)

Be prepared to conduct investigative work!

Make a list and keep notes on your contact progress.

Or you can purchase a 2019 Ultra JET SKIÂź ULTRAÂź LX MSRP $11,199. Sometimes this is a good option after you work with the
Law Loan program.

The Law Loan Program has been going strong for several decades!

Public Safety Agency Responsibilities

Make contact with the dealer leadership and ask if they participate on the “Law Loan Program’ for public safety agencies.

3. Write a Letter of request on agency letterhead and submit back to the participating dealership.
What you may be responsible for:

‱ Provide a Personal Water Craft trailer that is rated to transport a 1,000 lb. craft at 11.6” inches in length. (No shorty trailers, must be a properly sized trailer for the length/weight of the craft)
‱ Pay for any damages during the loan period
‱ Remove any agency stickers (do not remove manufacturer stickers) upon return
‱ Insure the water vehicle
‱ Professional certification for Coxswains and Crew operating the RWC (Rescue Water Craft)
‱ Rescue boards and accessories are not included. Rescue Boards may also damage the stern deck of a RWC so be prepared to compensate for any friction damages.
‱ Do not drill any holes or add any hardware to the craft during loan, do not alter the craft.
‱ Abide by the maintenance schedule and pay for the needed maintenance such as required hourly inspections and oil changes.


Yamaha WaveRunner VX Cruiser HO can be purchased for $11,499.00

Make sure you have prepared an effective annual budget for the following:
1. Maintenance Schedule
2. Hourly Maintenance Schedule
3. Training
4. Personal Protective Equipment for Personnel
5. Accessory devices (rescue board, tow lines, fuel cans, etc.)
6. Return damage fees acquired during the loan period
7. Fuel & Fuel conditioner for prevention of damages from the effects of Ethanol
8. Transportation: Trailer, Vehicle, tow hitches, electrical, tires and tie downs

Participating dealerships will need to sell the water vehicle when the loan program is over. These participating dealerships are for profit businesses and need to turn over the floor stock inventory. Be sure that you return the Personal Water Craft that you have conducted a thorough review of the craft.

I would advise you to do the following:

1. When you receive the water vehicle take photos of the top, bottom, port/starboard and interior of the craft.
2. When you are ready to prepare the craft for return prior to removing decals/stickers take the same round of photos.
3. When returning the water craft take the final third round of the photos for records.

Make sure that you ask in advance what fees you will incur for the maintenance of the craft and how long the dealership will have the asset for these repairs or schedules so you can adjust your operations in the field when you take the unit(s) out of service.

Keep detailed records of your training and maintenance, focusing on the engine hours in your daily checklists.

Make sure that every team member reads the Owner’s Manual and understands the content and is able to translate it effectively and surely.

Good luck in your search! We hope you find a matching dealer who is willing to support and has the appropriate resources to do so.

This is a wonderful program started by (ret.) Roger Hagie’s Public Relations guru from Kawasaki, he is a great friend, a Wake of Fame Inductee and a champion for public safety and lifesaving!

_______________________________

Posted 11.2.2018

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Content Creator: Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

TOWING THE LINE

Towing the Line.

Saving time, resources, logistics and manpower.

Anyhow, its much easier to tow a few of them than to have multiple operators at times.

We do this often in a few of our training grounds as well, because logistics can really impede on the clock!

Tension is your friend, not shockloading the tow line. This can be a bit of a struggle like in this photo with swell. Each craft will have a ‘step and pitch’ to its hull length and the oncoming water action and height.

It is important to have a solid understanding of the following:
1. Connector point hardware
2. Breaking strength of line
3. Towing speed (safe speed)
4. How its going to end

I oftentimes tow alone with four Jet Skis, as well as load them onto a single 4 place water vehicle trailer.

Taking my time and being methodical helps, but also thinking ahead, not where I am at presently or behind me where the craft are dragging. It’s important to be relaxed, calm and sure.

This can save time and resource management with low personnel available.

If by chance the towing vessel takes on debris into the water intake and a hand clearing of the water intake screen doesn’t solve the situation, its not too hard to switch out with another towing boat as long as its not sidelined as well.

Look down the line.

Observe your idle speed.

Observe the length of your tow string (boats).

Think about using a pivot point to slowly draw the craft towards you at a stopped position.

If trailering draw them towards the trailer bunks and let the forward section of the craft rest on them until its time to fully load and secure. One at at time…

If its a shoreline, secure a landing zone that has about 30′ feet for you to draw each bow up onto the shore.

Do not tug too hard on the lines, draw them slowly and steadily.

Practice! You may find this is a simpler solution for some situations you have to operate with.

Thanks for listening!

Shawn Alladio – 6.15.2018


Shawn cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

RESCUE WATER CRAFT BATTERY ISSUES

MELTDOWN

RESCUE WATER CRAFT BATTERY ISSUES

Rescue Water Craft batteries require your constant attention. Battery inspection needs to be a daily feature in your pre and post operations inspection.

It is only avoidable if there is knowledge. So now in the aftermath of discovery it is avoidable if the knowledge is retained. Before this it is just 'learning'.

That's a dead short you are looking at in the images above. It is the result of way too much current flow. How do you know that? The posts are molten where your cables would have been connected. That is one way to explode a battery, and could become a very dangerous situation quickly.

The Rescue Water Craft fuses should have helped to prevent an explosion. It would be important in these instances to inspect your fuses ASAP.

First off you need to refer to the make, model and year of production of your Rescue Water Craft and adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Questions
Is there too much slack in the lead wires or the battery strap harness inside the RWC while operating with this battery?

Is it missing the traction pad below it rests on? Is it the right type of battery?

Did this happen inside the Rescue Water Craft or was the battery brand new and being charged for use?

Jet Pump

Yuasa Battery

LOOSEY GOOSEY

Loose battery connections on the lead cables create resistance and turn into ‘heat’. If the cable was not tightened enough it could create resistance for the battery when it tries to bridge the gap and arcs with a high heat. There should be no white powder on the terminals and they should not move when touched and tugged to see if the posts swivel or move.

Tight terminals are a must, as are using an inspection daily check list post and pre-ops. Be consistent, its a bad deal when problems come your way when you are out on the water. It's better to catch them while the RWC is on the trailer. Don't splash your RWC until you are 100% seaworthy.

HINT: do not use a screwdriver, use a ratchet with a properly sized socket to adjust the Pos/Neg cables!

With a loose connection the wires which are small and the load is high, what does that mean? If a battery is loose inside a Rescue Water Craft, such as the straps are connected improperly or using the wrong strap sizes or one broke free or the battery size is wrong and does not fit into the stock tray, problems are imminent.

Take a close look at the battery tray location. Does your battery shape fit fully in the tray? If not, consider heading back to a stock battery, saving money is not gonna happen in this situation.

If the battery is the right size the straps may be problematic. Friction and movement of the battery can be an issue causing the wire connections to crack or fracture and this is the kind of a situation that can cause sparks. If the battery is bouncing around those sparks are like the same heat as an arc welder. A bad situation is at hand and fully preventable.

Or you could have a short inside the battery. Even a partial short and/or poor connection on the terminals can create significant problems. In these images it looks like the pos side had a meltdown.

This kind of a situation can create other problems such as the relay or starter motor engine could have experienced damage.

Jet Pump

Vents and Distilled Water

JUICED

Never jump a Rescue Water Craft from another running vehicle or charger, it will feed more amps into the system and can damage or destroy the MPEM or ECU units.

Also if jumping the battery, make sure you are using the right size cables, you need the smaller cables, larger ones will not correlate with the proper amperage, and would be a wasted attempt.

I would definitely inspect the fuse and the leads pos/neg cables for rust or corrosion. Sometimes this happens when people jump their RWC batteries off a vehicle that is running, which should NEVER be done. Our Rescue Water Craft are not set up to run the amps and voltage beyond 2.5 amps in their system, this can be very destructive.

There is not much difference in voltage between a nearly full battery and a depleted one, its less than 1.0 volts. If the RWC engine is running the charging system makes an attempt to maintain a specific voltage output to the battery. This depends upon the battery ability to absorb the charge translated as Amps and the charging system delivery of the full current the battery demands.

There is a lot of demand placed on a battery and its electrical partners; from the voltage, charging, stator alternator, solenoid and starter. Never jump your battery from a vehicle, you will overcharge the system. Stay under 2 amps while charging your battery.

A solenoid is an electrical switch which causes electrical contact from the starter circuit to ground power the coil and can handle the high voltage for the starter which begins the rotation of the motor. Solenoids make a distinct click sound. If you are jumping the battery and the solenoid cranks poorly then it’s not the solenoid, it could be just a bad connection.

You can check with a volt meter on the posts to get a reading. Then press the ‘start’ button and note if the voltage is lower. It may be a weak battery.

It is important to remember to protect the electrical system and the battery by not holding down the start button longer than 5 seconds and waiting 15 seconds prior to the next start.

Frequent starts will engage a quick shut down cycle on the battery if the engine cannot run. You don’t want to burn out your starter motor. Patience goes a long way and will help you understand the temperament of your RWC electrical system.

Don’t rush, take your time to troubleshoot and be patient.

Jet Pump

Waterproof Battery Tender

VOLTAGE

When the battery voltage drops low it’s time for a new battery. It is also possible to purchase a new battery that was not fully charged and it drops its voltage and becomes worthless pretty fast, requiring another new fully charged battery.

It is important to follow the directions for using the appropriate battery charger that can fully charge a new battery. Many times people do not follow suit properly and they waste time and money.

Waterproof battery tenders are often used for long time storage to help protect battery life. For some watercraft there are other contributing factors it could be a bad DESS key for a BRP Sea Doo as well. A simple replacement of the DESS key and coding might be the answer.

Always check a battery on a multi meter to see what the voltage level is. Make sure you are using the right battery that is recommended by the OEM manufacturer as well. Low voltage can be really bad for electronics and relays. Good batteries should be 12.3-12.5 volts but refer to your RWC brand to be specific.

Cheap batteries yield cheaper results and some of the batteries like Yuasa require a special charger to load the batteries, so that can be problematic and not getting a full charge. Use dieletric grease on the terminals in the future, you will be glad you did.

Rescue Water Craft batteries work best when the charge is maintained. Maintenance free batteries are highly recommended. Batteries get hot when working hard, so don’t overload the amperage by adding accessories to the craft that need an electrical draw.

Answer: Tight connections and Clean Cables are required, good straps and the appropriate fully charged battery. This was a brand new battery in the images above being charged.

Recap:
1. Bad Battery Sealed or Cell, gel cells or AGM (vented or not vented) Wet cell batteries need distilled water.
2. Poor Battery Connection-Partial short
3. Wrong Battery Used
4. DESS post failing (inductive arcing)
5. Fast Charged Battery
6. Inspect Fuse Box

This is not a tutorial, it’s a basic Q & A regarding battery connectivity. Take your RWC to a qualified mechanic for servicing and follow basic preventative maintenance schedules to ensure the longevity of your operations and underway safety.

Content Creator - Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

2018 Rajd WokóƂ Polski – PƂyniemy Polsko

STAGE 2

STAGE 4
Etapu rajdu PƂyniemy Polsko z Gdynia do DarƂowa.

The rally Stage 4 route was from Gdynia Poland to Darlowa on the Baltic Sea. The teams field the event in partnerships of taking care of their rally needs throughout the route. The Rally began on April 29 in Krakow and the presentation took place on the 28th in Ustron.

We had rougher waters once we turned the peninsula point leaving Gdynia and heading westward. All the Rally riders hugged the coastline. There is a shallow shelf along the coastline that drops off to very deep water. The winds can come across very strong and agitate the water.

Our Plyniemy Polsko riders are setting pretty fast paces. They have gotten in to battle weary stride.

The hands suffer the most, from friction on the handlebars holding onto the crat. This is a long journey and the craft are going through strenuous paces. We have quite a few Sea Doo BRP Spark models on this rally.

K38 Poland is operating a Yamaha WaveRunnerÂź and we have a rescue board and a K38 chase vehicle with the trailer.

We have arrived!

Another Stage Completed

The hands suffer the most, from friction on the handlebars holding onto the crat. This is a long journey and the craft are going through strenuous paces. We have quite a few Sea Doo BRP Spark models on this rally.

K38 Poland is operating a Yamaha WaveRunnerÂź and we have a rescue board and a K38 chase vehicle with the trailer.

The Rally started up the Vistula River and we shall continue until we make a full loop of Poland, setting history for a charity ride to raise funds for people with cerebral palsy, and autism.

Beach Rescue of Spark

Yacht Club Rybnik

We have so far enjoyed a fantastic adventure! We started out by enjoying music from Znaki Czasu and are going to have more fantastic gatherings along the way since we began at the Wloclawek stage.

The organizers of the rally is the Yacht Club Rybnik and the PGE Energia Ciepla Foundation.

Before the stop in Leba we had one PWC go down and it had to be recovered from the beach. That alone was quite an epic adventure! We were fortunate to see to the safety of this recovery that a tractor locally was able to recover the PWC! It was a long day!

Content Creator - Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

Is Cavitation the Problem with your Jet Pump?

FLOW

Jet pump cavitation is oftentimes confused with the effects of ventilation regarding Personal Water Craft jet pump efficiency. For occupational operators this is a topic of interest for RWC use. We are looking at several aspects of jet pump security:

1. Aerated water conditions are Rescue Water Craft would operate in such as a surf zone or whitewater in a river
2. Damage to the jet pump unit and its components

Our Rescue Water Craft cavitation occurs when the results of extreme reduction in jet pump pressure on the back side of the impeller blades. This creates a loss of water jet pump pressure.

We enjoy two types of constructive materials for impellers, aluminum and stainless steel

Jet Pump

PWC Water Intake Screen missing bolt

Rescue Water Craft Cavitation

It is an interesting process that we cannot see while operating our Rescue Water Craft. We can feel the hesitation of the craft, loading up or stalling of the RWC as throttle modulation is applied at the helm. This is most apparent in white water operating conditions. Or if there is debris that is hung up on the water intake screen or beginning to ‘wrap’ around the driveline.

Water begins to boil at 212 degrees Farenheit. If we reduce the atmospheric pressure low enough, water can also boil at room temperature. These boils can effect jet pump efficiency underway.

As the Rescue Water Craft impeller begins turning through the water drawn into the jet pump at an ever-increasing rate of speed, the pressure on the back side of the blades is reduced, and if that pressure is reduced low enough, the water will begin to boil and form water vapor on the blades. This usually occurs near the outer or leading edge of the blade. There can also be damage to the jet pump guide veins on the backside of the impeller.

Jet Pump

Inspect your PWC Water Jet Pump for Debris

FLOW DON'T BLOW

Water vapor bubbles will migrate closer to the center of the RWC impeller blade within the Jet Pump. This is where the jet pump pressure is higher, and the boiling stops. The vapor bubbles will begin to implode against the impeller blade's surface.

This resulting energy release can be so strong that it can begin a process of chipping away at the impeller blade surface, leaving what is called a cavitation burn.

Cavitation can have a lot of different causes. Impeller nicks, dents or different types of damage to the leading edge of any of the impeller blades are often the highest contributing factor. If your Rescue Water Craft impeller no longer cuts through the water smoothly from the water drawn through the water jet, it will cause disturbances in the water flow, and this can result in the effects experienced from cavitation.

Ventilation can occur from the bottom hull of the Rescue Water Craft. At each training course or rescue episode we pre and post-inspect the bottom of the hull for any nicks in the gelcoat or substrate surface.

One of our inspection requirements is to check out the water intake screen, the pump tunnel, ride plate, impeller (both lead and trailer blade edges), pump guide veins to ensure there are no cracks, chips, breaks or scores. We also inspect the pump liner and are sure to fresh water flush after each use.

Typically the keel leading up to the dead rise of the bow is a key area for gelcoat damage from repeated groundings. Chines can catch the edge and fleck off small areas of gelcoat. Ventilation can be suspected to affect the jet pump unit if that area has any surface damage.

Jet Pump

Inspect your PWC Water Jet Pump Intake Screen for Debris

TRACTION IS SAFETY

Repeated groundings can change the blueprint of the hull bottom. It can cause a grinding away of the centerline of the keel. Not all agencies have the luxury of using boat ramps and trailers. Some must ground their RWC which results in the keel becoming misshaped over time.

Another problem we experience from ventilation is with the use of a Towable Aquatic Device (TAD) or what we commonly refer to in generic term as a ‘Rescue Board’. The more weight applied to the top of the rescue board forward surface, the more dead-rise against the bow will cause increased upward lift.

This is most noticeable when speeds increase or in rough water operations.

Our safety lies within our operational knowledge base. When we understand our pump efficiency and safety we can inspect, maintain and prevent further damages. It also helps us to determine when we have lost a pump or bearings to damage and need to ensure that we don’t stress the engine from overloading rpm.

Get to know your Rescue Water Craft. There is more to know than this story can tell. Start with the jet pump unit and review your owner’s manual for inspection tips. It really is the secret of our forward success!

Content Creator - Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

Jet Pump

Personal Water Craft Impeller Inside the Jet Pump Casing