What to Do if Your Jet Ski Breaks Down on the Water in West Palm Beach

Jet skis are a type of personal watercraft known for their maneuverability and speed. You can take them out on the lake or in the ocean to hit high speeds and have a good time. While jet skis are incredibly fun to use, sometimes they experience issues.

If you are on your jet ski and it breaks down, you need to know how to react. Breaking down on the water can be scary, especially if you aren’t prepared. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to get help.

When your jet ski stops working out on the water, the first thing you should do is stay calm and assess the situation. Once you are ready, signal for help to alert other boaters in the area that you need help. You should also try to anchor your jet ski to a stable point to prevent yourself from drifting farther from shore.

If other boaters in the area cannot help you, you should call someone to tow you and your jet ski to shore. On the other hand, if you are injured or the situation is critical, you should contact 911 or the Coast Guard for emergency assistance.

Once you and your jet ski are brought to safety, Jet Tek Water Sports can repair the issue that caused your jet ski to stop working in the first place.

What Should You Do If Your Jet Ski Broke Down on the Water?

Jet skis can stop working while you are out on the water for several reasons. Your battery could die, water intrusion could be causing short circuits, you could have a clogged intake or exhaust, or your engine sensor could be faulty. No matter the reason, you need to be prepared to take action if you find yourself broken down in the middle of the lake or the ocean.

If your jet ski breaks down on the water, you should:

Stay Calm

Sudden breakdowns can be stressful, especially if you are far from shore. That said, panicking will only make the situation worse. You cannot think critically to resolve the problem if you do not remain calm.

Take a few deep breaths, take note of your situation and your surroundings, and use your logic to determine the severity of your problem. Is anyone hurt? Are people aware that you’ve taken your jet ski out on the water today?

Signal for Help

Once you are calm and have assessed your situation, it’s time to get some help. If there are other boaters around you, use any means you can to signal them. You could wave your arms, shout, use a flare, or activate your VHF radio if you have one.

If a passing boat can help you, make sure to use a strong, floating rope to ensure the rope doesn’t snap from the weight. Once you are back to safety, you should contact a marine mechanic to take a look at your jet ski and determine what caused it to break down. Avoid using your jet ski again until a mechanic has resolved the problem.

Anchor

If you do not have access to immediate assistance, you should try to anchor your jet ski to something solid and stable. Without anchoring, you could drift further away from the shore and other boaters, making rescue more difficult.

Once you are anchored, you will be able to focus all of your efforts on obtaining assistance from other boaters, a jet ski tow company, or emergency services.

Call for a Tow

If you are not in an emergency, you should call a company that can come and tow you and your jet ski to shore. Organizations like SeaTow or BoatUS provide roadside assistance for boats, which means they can help you if your jet ski has broken down.

If you are close to a marine mechanic, they might be able to tow you back to their shop. For example, Jet Tek Water Sports offers tows for broken-down vessels within 10 miles of their location.

Reach Out to 911 or the Coast Guard

If you or a passenger is injured or you are in an emergency, you should call 911 or the Coast Guard. They can help you deal with any type of emergency you are facing on the water and will help you ensure your jet ski is safely towed back to shore.

Get Connected to a Jet Ski Mechanic in Riviera Beach

If you are dealing with jet ski issues, you’ve come to the right place. At Jet Tek Water Sports, we hire the most experienced and qualified marine mechanics. No matter what type of problem your jet ski has, we can fix it quickly and efficiently.

At Jet Tek Watersports, we offer a diverse selection of high-performance watercraft and equipment services and repairs, tailored to suit every type of water adventure. From jet skis to yacht tenders and flyboards, our services and repairs are meticulously carried out to ensure top-quality performance and safety. Whether you’re planning a solo excursion or a group outing, we provide fast and proficient repair service options designed to meet your needs and enhance your experience on the water.

Contact us today for more information on jet ski repair and other services.