I wrote one of these articles a few years ago. I was coming in thru Boynton inlet. It has crazy currents from right to left becasue water enters from the sides. Coming thru, at 1/2 way a dude was coming in struggling in a 15 foot jon boat with a 10HP outboard. He had a little kid with him. He caused a traffic jam. The current was entangling 4 boats and there are 3 foot curls. Needles to say a few prople got by which he flipped off. We are all talking about "Always yield to vessels on your starboard side" BUT, isnt their anything in maritime law that doesnt allow you to impede traffic in an inlet?

Some inlets like Boynton Inlet or Haulover, arent the right place to fish in a 15 foot jon boat or a herd of jet skis jumping wake on Saturday at 4PM. I can understand at lower traffic hours, I completely understand that they have the right to do whatever they want, but Darwin works in mysterious ways. How does it work other than yield?

In Texas, PWC's are not allowed within 50ft of anything except at an idle with no wake. I think most states have similar laws. (PWC riders don't seem to follow the law here either though)

I always give way nowadays. No one seems to know the rules or follows them if they do, boaters included. I gave up. I don't even think about anymore as there's nothing I need to be in that big of a hurry hoping the other guy knows and/or follows the rules. Its sad but true.

Exactly this....always drive defensively and never assume the other person sees you, otherwise you are equally at fault.

I've had to change course many, many times. Moving the wheel or throttles is significantly cheaper than a collision.

Keep in mind, even if you're 'correct' and the other vessel at fault, you will be asked 'what did you do to avoid the crash' and if nothing, and you could have, you will be held responsible for a percentage of the crash.

But I agree- seems like no one knows the rules of the water. From the video, I blame the PWC operator for the collision.

A few years back, a friend and I were cruising up the lake two abreast and noticed a jetski leave from the bank area without looking left or right. He proceeded straight out in front of us, which would have been fine had he kept moving, but decided to do a spinout and was ejected right in our path. We had to take hard evasive action, my bud left and me right (saw the bottom of each others boats) to avoid hitting him. The young man never saw us until he was climbing back on his unit, I still remember the look on his face. He then hightailed it back to the bank from where he came, jumped off the ski and ran up the bank. Told my bud I have to say something to that dude before he gets himself killed out here so we putted over to the bank. I asked the young man if he realized how close he just came to death because he never even looked for approaching vessels and did what he did right in front of us. He just stood there with his hands on his hips looking at us never saying a word so we fired the engines back up and started to pull away. I glanced back over my shoulder to see this azzhat whipping us the bird and jumping up and down shaking his crank at us. Turned back around and shut her down again. Told the young man if I see you in front of my boat again, because of your own stupidity, I will not turn the wheel or pull back the throttle. Next time my friend you'll go to the meat grinder. Now we all know I'd never do such a thing but I do sincerely hope those words got his attention, made him think and maybe saved his dumb azz. Damn lake lice! This was the closest call I had out of many instances on our lake back when I was running a v-hull. With the cat I give a very wide birth to the local lice and the local idjuts who have no clue.

Maybe Darwin will take care of it, sound like a real brain surgeon.

Aren't there maritime protocols regarding size and type of vessel that take precedent before directional right-of-way takes over? Boat-in-tow always takes right-of-way. Sailing vessel takes right-of-way. Larger vessel takes right-of-way. Leaving port takes right-of-way. THEN port/starboard approach protocols, right?

If this is the case, then the PWC must nearly always yield right-of-way, right?

Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991

I have no problem calling the sheriff and reporting reckless idiots of any kind. I boat in some of the most deserted water in the Great Lakes and yet I had a PWC almost hit me multiple times. Thought about keeping the flare gun handy to fire a shot over the bow.

Agree on the numbers there. It is rare for me to run any distance on LOTO without dodging a few Waverunners. You cannot predict what they are going to do. I give them as wide a berth as I can without then myself impeding the proper flow of traffic. I used to get all riled up by them but now just know what to expect, take appropriate action, shake my head, and go about my day. Rental boats are getting to be almost as bad.