In this session, you'll learn how to depart from a dock
by using your personal watercraft's shift, throttle, and steering,
giving consideration to wind and current,
and maintaining a proper lookout throughout all activities.
And you'll learn how to depart from a shoreline without damaging the propulsion unit,
and by avoiding obstructions and activities in that area.
What problems are we trying to avoid?
Failing to look out for other boats and other environmental factors prior to getting underway.
Not connecting your engine shut-off switch lanyard, or doing so incorrectly.
When leaving a shoreline, causing passengers to fall while boarding the personal watercraft.
Allowing the PWC to make contact with the bottom or objects.
For example, by attempting to depart in reverse.
When leaving a dock, having lines snag or get tangled in the impeller.
Not shifting cleanly and smoothly into forward or reverse,
and not realizing that being in gear is required to have steering control of the PWC.
So, how do we do it right?
When departing from the shoreline, if possible, point the watercraft away from the shore
to avoid departing in reverse from the shoreline,
which will pull the PWC down into the water and may cause it to strike bottom,
or pull sand or mud into the impeller.
Get yourself and others on board without injury.
Perform a 360-degree full-circle scan for boats and other potential hazards.
Also recheck environmental factors including wind and current prior to getting underway.
Attach the engine shut-off switch lanyard.
Before starting the engine, ensure that your PWC is clear of objects in the water.
Take in any securing lines or anchors.
Slowly advance from the shore
watching for other boats or obstructions
using intermittent throttle control
to keep to idle speed.
Remember that to turn the PWC, you must be in forward or reverse.
The watercraft will not turn while in neutral.
When in deep water, shift smoothly to forward and turn the PWC toward a safe route at a no-wake speed.
When docked, if the wind or current is pushing your PWC off the dock,
start your engine in the proper manner.
Untie and cast off lines.
Let the PWC drift away from the dock
and proceed in forward at idle speed
to clear the dock area.
If there is little or no wind,
turn the handlebars to slowly back away from the dock.
The PWC will pivot, but the narrower bow will have more clearance.
When clear, shift into neutral.
Straighten the handlebars, and shift smoothly into forward
at idle speed to proceed away from the dock.
If the wind or current is pushing your PWC onto the dock,
start your engine and turn the handlebars toward the dock,
and smoothly shift into forward gear.
When the stern has moved sufficiently away from the dock,
straighten the handlebars and back away from the dock.
When clear, smoothly shift into forward
and proceed at idle speed.
If your PWC does not have reverse or only operates in forward,
turn your handlebars toward the dock.
Start your engine, and use forward thrust to push your stern away from the dock.
Ensure that the stern has moved sufficiently away from the dock
to enable shifting into neutral or turning the engine off.
Straighten the handlebars
and proceed ahead in forward to clear the dock.