Chapter 7 · Lesson 3Practical demonstration · about 5 minutes
Before you hand over the jet ski
A short, firm PWC briefing, followed by proof that the guest can control the actual machine.
Video coming soon
Before you hand over the jet ski — demonstration
In the video
- The controls of the actual PWC, engine off
- Fitting PPE and the engine-stop arrangement
- A guest teach-back: one wrong control, corrected and rechecked
- Where the release decision sits
From the captain
Before you start
A guest saying, 'I've ridden loads of these,' is useful information. It is not a competence check. They may know a different model, different controls and a completely different operating area. Brief the machine in front of them and watch them prove the basics before they disappear into the bay.
By the end of this lesson
Deliver a model-specific PWC briefing and recognise when the guest is not ready for release.
See it
See it for yourself
Watch, do not assume
Before independent use, the guest shows control of the actual PWC at low speed, inside the permitted zone, while the crew watch.
At low speed, inside the permitted zone, the guest shows control of this PWC: start, steer, slow, stop and return, while the crew watch. The authorised person then decides whether the rider can proceed.
Illustration · not to scale · no speeds or distances shown · the vessel's approved familiarisation and the operating-area rules govern
What to look for
Brief the actual controls
Show start, stop, engine-stop attachment, steering and any fitted reverse or braking assistance using the owner's manual. Do not teach a throttle or braking slogan across different models.
Include the fall and return
Cover model-specific reboarding, the response after a fall, the agreed return route and how help is requested. The guest needs these before leaving, not when alongside again.
Check the response
Ask the guest to identify controls and repeat the boundaries. The authorised instructor or operator then uses the vessel's approved familiarisation before deciding whether the rider can proceed.
The lesson
The lesson
- 01
Set the non-negotiables
Use the vessel's PWC procedure and the rules for the operating area. Cover who may ride, required PPE, the permitted zone, traffic and swimmer separation, the return route and the safety-lanyard or engine-stop method fitted to that craft. If alcohol, medication, behaviour or ability makes the guest unsuitable under the vessel's policy, the PWC stays put and the decision goes up the chain.
- 02
Teach this particular PWC
Show starting, stopping, steering, reverse or braking assistance if fitted, reboarding and what to do after a fall. Older and newer PWCs do not all behave alike. Many rely heavily on jet thrust for steering, while some have systems that can provide limited control in other conditions. The owner's manual and vessel briefing win over a catchy universal claim.
- 03
Watch, do not assume
Use the vessel's approved low-speed familiarisation or competence check. Watch the guest start, steer, slow, stop and return under control. A guest who can accelerate is not necessarily a guest who can come alongside without redecorating the swim platform.
- 04
Control the session
Confirm the signals, supervision and recall method before release. Keep the rider within the authorised area and act early if they ignore the briefing. A safety brief only works when the crew are prepared to enforce it.
Where it goes wrong
The guest has ridden a PWC before, so the familiarisation is skipped. On return, they use the wrong control for that model and arrive faster than intended. Nobody is hurt, but the platform and PWC are damaged. Previous experience was treated as proof instead of being checked.
Your call
What would you do?
Pick one, then read the feedback on all three.
The situation
The guest points to the wrong control when asked how to slow this PWC. They say their last machine was different and ask to work it out on the water.
Take it aboard
Brief a crew member as the guest
Do this during your induction or first weeks, with the person responsible for your work.
Unloaded practice
Use a secured PWC with the engine off and controls made safe under the vessel's procedure. A crew member acts as the guest.
- 01Confirm the model, rider requirements and operating-area information.
- 02Show PPE fit and the actual engine-stop arrangement without starting.
- 03Explain controls, fall response, return and recall from the manual and vessel briefing.
- 04Ask the crew member to show key controls and repeat the boundaries.
What a useful result looks like
- Every control belongs to the actual model.
- The guest can show rather than merely nod.
- The learner refers the release decision to the authorised person.
Stop: A Foundation learner does not assess or release a real rider independently. No live engine or improvised competence drill is part of the rehearsal.
Deckhand Foundation · Job card
PWC briefing prompt
From the lesson: Before you hand over the jet ski
- Model, rider authorisation and local restrictions confirmed.
- Activity-specific PPE and engine-stop arrangement explained.
- Actual start, steer, slow, stop and return controls shown.
- Fall, reboarding and help procedure covered.
- Area, separation, supervision and recall understood.
- Authorised familiarisation and release decision complete.
Craft / manual revision
Area / session lead
Misunderstanding corrected / release held
Your vessel's procedures and senior crew come first. Nothing on this card is stored.
Quick check
Four decisions, then move on
This check confirms the principle. Your vessel's own induction still comes first.