Personal watercraft (PWC)-users have been advised to carry safety equipment, including mini flares, after two Sea-Doo riders crashed onto rocks in West Bay, Dorset.
One of the pair was injured on the rocks, but they had no floatation devices nor means of raising the alarm. They also launched their PWC in the bay even though local rules forbade it.
The Sea-Doo crashed onto the rocks at the end of the West Pier in strong winds and waves and the pair had to abandon it and climb to safety, reports West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team’s Facebook page.
An off-duty member of the West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team raised the alarm after noticing the craft in difficulty.
Mini-flares
The coastguard says, *If you’re going to take a jet-ski or personal watercraft onto the water then you should make sure you know how to operate these powerful machines by getting trained. You don’t want to find yourself in the water after being thrown off. This is also why we always recommend that you wear a buoyancy aid or impact vest and ensure you attach your kill cord to your personal buoyancy aid, so that if you end up in the water, the engine will stop.
*Take a handheld VHF radio with you and attach it to yourself, so you can contact the coastguard if you get into difficulty. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) may be useful for more remote locations, along with mini flares and a fully charged mobile phone in a plastic bag.
A spokesperson for West Bay Harbourmaster says, “It would also be worth noting that when arriving at any harbour for the first time that you contact the harbour office; these operators would have then found out that not only are PWCs not permitted to launch at West Bay or Lyme Regis Harbours, they would have learned that the conditions on the day were not suitable for launching. This then would have been avoided and this expensive PWC would still be in good condition.”
Calling for help
A West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team spokesman says, “Solent Coastguard immediately paged the West Bay Rescue Team to attend along with the West Bay Harbour Master’s team.
“The persons on the rock armour were advised to abandon their attempt to recover the PWC and get themselves to a place of safety which they did, although one of the persons had now suffered multiple cuts and abrasions to their arms and legs.
“Declining the attendance of an ambulance, the persons were met by the coastguard and harbour team. First aid was provided, details were taken and safety advice dispensed.
“Only one of the persons was wearing a wetsuit and neither were wearing floatation devices or had the ability to call for help.”
*Joining a professional and reputable personal watercraft club is also a great way to take to the water safely, and always respect any local rules or bylaws that are in place.”
The image is from West Bay Coastguard Team’s Facebook page.
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