Another Jet Skier Killed on the Delta -- Watch Out for Them

[Burke]

From the San Francisco Chronicle. The accident happened on Sunday.

(07-27) 21:30 PDT DISCOVERY BAY -- A 23-year-old Discovery Bay man died and a woman companion was injured today in a Jet Ski accident in Old River Slough near Discovery Bay, according to a spokesman for the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department.

Emergency crews were called out at about 4:30 p.m. and found a man and woman in the water near Highway 4, east of Discovery Bay, said spokesman Jimmy Lee.

Jeffrey Rinne, 23, of Discovery Bay was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, whose name and age were not released, was airlifted to John Muir Medical Center. She was in serious condition, Lee said.

It appears that the Jet Ski hit one of the bridge supports, Lee said.

[Skeeterman]

Thats to bad God with the his family.

[Cooch]

That's two weekends in a row now! The previous Saturday July 19th, a woman and her daughter got in a fatal accident where the mom was killed. This one was a head on with a boat. Same old saga!

[Greg_Cornish]

How do you hit a bridge support? Suicide?

[Andy Giannini]

Greg,

Jet skis only steer when you are on the gas. Many times, a beginner will have a panic moment, close the throttle, turn the bars, and head right into the object they are trying to avoid. (The bike continues on its collision course.)

The newer bikes have overcome this and have a bit of steering when not on the gas.

A lack of understanding, inexperience, or liquor and a jetski is one dangerous combo.

Another goofy factor is they often chase other boats trying to jump the wake. Ask Rich about it. He was torpedoed at Clear Lake in the side!

.02 A.G.

[Bill K]

How do you hit a bridge support? Suicide?

Various reasons can cause it, the most is lack of knowledge on a new machine and driver control or loss of it. They get these things and do not know how to operate them safely, just get on and go wide open, sort of a controled panic. Bill K

[Bassphish]

One of the new jet ski advertisements state 0 to 60mph in just over 3 seconds. It's just a crying shame some one had to pay the ultimate price...........

[fishwithron2]

The hp on those keep going higher and higher and surprise there's not more accident out there. How about those out there SUPERCHARGE ??? How much more power do they need before there's a regulation ??

[mark poulson]

Why does the State license car, truck, and motorcycle drivers, but not boaters and jetskiers?

[MIKE TREMONT]

Sorry to read this.

Would a mandatory licencing program helped avoid this, could be if they followed the rules. How many of us really follow the rules? How much rule following influence is necessary to save some poor souls just trying have some fun?

0 to 60 in 3 seconds is a blast, especially when you're up against like machines in an somewhat controlled environment. I think some of these folks didn't learn to respect these things until it was too late. Even with the knowledge and respect of these things, life changing events happen.

I watched a show on PBS years ago and saw a number of people getting killed and maimed on PWC's. When will the protection police jump in and mandate licencing?

My heart goes out to the families touched by this. They were just trying to have fun.

[sheldonbisbee]

That's two weekends in a row now! The previous Saturday July 19th, a woman and her daughter got in a fatal accident where the mom was killed. This one was a head on with a boat. Same old saga!

Cooch if am not correct they were my couins they hit a boat and they propeller hit here and the other person survived

[optichamp]

The hp on those keep going higher and higher and surprise there's not more accident out there. How about those out there SUPERCHARGE ??? How much more power do they need before there's a regulation ??

Careful, the same thing could be said for bass boats. Most tournament bass boats will outrun the fastest of the PWC's, unless the water is dead calm. Would you rather get hit by a 700 pound boat with no propellor, or a 2000 pound boat with a 15" prop spinning 5000 rpm?

I have ridden the turbo Honda PWC a couple years ago, which had "only" 165 hp. It went to an indicated 58mph, then the pump started sucking air in the chop and it couldn't go any faster. Kawasaki has one that is rated at 250 hp, SeaDoo has one rated at 215hp, but I doubt either could go much faster unless the water was glass calm.

I do agree that most bass boat guys are more conservative, experienced, and responsible than PWC owners, but recall we had some tragedies and near-tragedies in bass boats this year, too.

I have a bass boat because it's a higher priority for me than a PWC. I find them fun, too, just not enough fun to drop 10 grand on one. I hope responsible people will always be able to enjoy either style without any professional nannies managing their lives for them.

[Flippinjigs]

It is my understanding by reading a magazine article. That the speed of jet skies are requlated to 65 mph my the manufacture in compliance with US Coast Guard regualtions. Of coures any speed is unsafe if you don't have the training and experience to operate the equipment. I'm sure at one time or another most of us have been buzzed by a group of jet skiers trying to jump our wakes (Trim up and hammer the throttle). Or worse yet zipping back and forth in a narrow cut while your trying to fish (Launch the spook). Sorry I find them irritating. But seriously; I try to use caution when they are around because I know they are having to much fun to pay attention to where they are going. I really don't want one in my boat with me.

Good Fishin

[skolnuts]

"Watch out fer em." They were all over the place today along with mass douceboarders. Everytime they went by I wondered if they were aware of the latest accidents.

Amongst the crazy **** were people loading thier precious 7 and 8 yr olds on a tube and spinning circles in the middle of old river at 25 mph, one slip and there goes the kid rite into a rock wall. They cry tragedy but its really neglect and reckless parenthood. Just when i thought we couldnt get any dumber.

[Skunkedagain]

"Watch out fer em." They were all over the place today along with mass douceboarders. Everytime they went by I wondered if they were aware of the latest accidents.

Amongst the crazy **** were people loading thier precious 7 and 8 yr olds on a tube and spinning circles in the middle of old river at 25 mph, one slip and there goes the kid rite into a rock wall. They cry tragedy but its really neglect and reckless parenthood. Just when i thought we couldnt get any dumber.

I agree that sometimes they act like victims of a tradgedy, but unfortunately the poor kids who arn't old enough to know better are the victims of their parents stupidity..and that IS a tradgedy.