What should PWC operators avoid doing to ensure safety?

PWC operators should prioritize safety by avoiding the practice of riding too close to other vessels. Maintaining a safe distance is essential because proximity to other boats increases the risk of collisions, which can lead to severe accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. Our awareness of surrounding vessels, including their movements and intentions, can be significantly compromised when we are too close.

Keeping a safe distance allows PWC operators to react appropriately to the actions of other boaters, thereby ensuring more time to maneuver in case of unexpected changes in the environment or behavior of other vessels. It also contributes to keeping fellow boaters and passengers safe by fostering a shared sense of responsibility on the water.

The other choices, while also tied to safety considerations, do not encapsulate the critical aspect of distance management in the same way that riding too close does. For example, swerving quickly can lead to loss of control, ignoring speed limits can increase the likelihood of accidents, and operating without a license poses legal repercussions and endangers oneself and others. It's important for PWC operators to reflect on all safety measures, but maintaining an appropriate distance from other vessels remains a fundamental rule for safe operation.