FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – A tragic jet ski crash on the Intracoastal Waterway has left a South Florida family devastated and raised new concerns about the regulation of personal watercraft rentals. On August 12, two teenage sisters were involved in a high-speed collision while riding a rented jet ski.
Investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) say the girls attempted to jump the wake of a passing boat but lost control, slamming into a concrete dock. The impact was severe. A 911 caller reported: “They hit really, really hard. I mean, they were going fast.”
Thirteen-year-old Rachel did not survive the crash, while her sister suffered serious injuries. Tyson Matthews, an FWC spokesperson, described the event as “a heartbreaking loss for everyone involved in this community.”
Rental Company Owner’s History of Violations
The personal watercraft was rented from Prime Watersports LLC, a business in which records show that the owner has faced more than a dozen boating-related charges over the last five years.
These include:
- Renting jet skis without providing safety instruction
- Operating without proper safety equipment
- Conducting business without an occupational license
- Allowing jet ski operation at night in violation of Florida law
- Vessel registration issues
The owner has also been arrested multiple times since 2022. Just months before the fatal jet ski crash, he was cited for failing to appear in court. Recently, a judge sentenced him to six months probation and warned that if he violated boating regulations again, he could face jail time.
While none of these charges are directly linked to the teen tragedy, the case highlights widespread safety issues in South Florida’s personal watercraft rental industry.
Safety Measures That Could Prevent Tragedies
Florida leads the nation in boating accidents, many of which involve jet skis and other personal watercraft. To reduce risks, both operators and rental companies must prioritize safety. Essential measures include:
1. Mandatory Safety Instruction
Renters should always receive hands-on training and a detailed safety briefing. Riders must know how to operate the throttle, steer properly, and navigate safely in busy waterways.
2. Enforcing Age and Licensing Rules
Florida law requires individuals born after 1988 to carry a Boating Safety Education ID card. Rental companies must verify age, licensing, and training before handing over equipment.
3. Requiring Life Jackets and Safety Gear
Every rider must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Watercraft should also carry safety whistles, signaling devices, and fire extinguishers.
4. Respecting No-Wake Zones
Operators must obey posted speed zones and avoid risky stunts like wake-jumping. Such maneuvers are dangerous, particularly for inexperienced riders.
5. Providing Guided Supervision
For minors and first-time renters, guided supervision or tours reduce risks by keeping riders within safe boundaries.
6. Maintaining Equipment
Rental companies must regularly inspect jet skis to ensure steering, braking, and throttling systems are functioning properly.
7. Preventing Impaired Operation
Boating under the influence is illegal and just as dangerous as drunk driving. Rental companies must ensure renters are sober before releasing watercraft.
Legal Rights After Boating Accidents
When a boating accident results in serious injury or death, families often face overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. While some crashes are due to operator error, others may stem from negligent rental practices, poor supervision, or inadequate safety instruction.
That is where an experienced Miami Boating Accident Lawyer can help. At The Perazzo Law Firm, we investigate the causes of boating accidents, hold negligent parties accountable, and pursue maximum compensation for victims and their families.
Whether it involves medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, loss of income, or wrongful death claims, our attorneys fight to protect the rights of accident victims across South Florida.
Contact The Perazzo Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating or jet ski accident in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or anywhere in South Florida, you should not face the aftermath alone. Our legal team provides dedicated, compassionate, and results-driven representation.
Call 888-PERAZZO today for a FREE consultation. We are available 24/7 and charge no fees unless we win your case.
The Perazzo Law Firm – Protecting Boating and Car Accident Victims in South Florida.