VALCOURT, QC, June 28,
2024 /CNW/ - Approaching one of the busiest boating
weekends of the year, Sea-Doo, a BRP Inc. brand, reminds all riders
to prioritize safety. With the peak of the North American summer
boating season drawing near, more people than ever will be taking
to the water to enjoy all that boats, pontoons and personal
watercraft (PWC) have to offer. This year, the National Marine
Manufacturers Association estimates that 100 million people will go
boating, which means a lot of vessels —and fun — on our lakes,
rivers, and coastal waterways.
Sea-Doo takes safety on the water very seriously and is
committed to promoting BRP's Responsible Rider Program to help PWC
riders be present when they ride and always consider safety, riding
etiquette and the environment regardless of whether they are on the
ocean, a lake or a river.
"As a leader in the personal watercraft industry, we have a
responsibility to grow the community of responsible riders, educate
our community on preserving our water playgrounds and generate
positive experiences. Every action and initiative we take at
Sea-Doo is to ensure our sport flourishes today and for future
generations of riders," said Jérémi Doyon-Roch, Global Marketing
Director, Marine at BRP. "Holidays are a great time to be out on
the water with your friends and family and it is our responsibility
to help ensure riders know how to safely enjoy the water and, most
importantly, return to the dock or shore to do it all over again
the following day."
While personal watercraft are sound and reliable machines,
following a few basic safety practices drastically reduces the
likelihood of preventable incidents occurring on the water.
1- Wear proper-fitting safety gear for PWC use
Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket designed
specifically for PWC use, and make sure it is properly sized and
fits correctly, meaning nice and snug. PWC specific life jackets
are designed to be stronger to endure higher speed water impacts
and produced to maintain higher buoyancy when a rider enters the
water at higher speeds. If you end up in the water, a properly
fitting life jacket that is fully zipped up or buckled helps ensure
you're properly buoyant.
When it comes to watercraft gear, neoprene shorts are a must.
Neoprene's form-fitting protection prevents injuries to the lower
body when striking the water during a fall backward. It also acts
as a cushion between your body and the saddle while limiting
exposure to the jet pump thrust.
2- Attach safety lanyard before starting the engine
In the event you fall off, the safety lanyard will detach from
the engine cut-off switch and automatically shut down the engine,
allowing you to safely reboard the watercraft with the engine off
and continue riding. Ensure the lanyard is securely attached to
your life jacket. And make it a habit to attach the safety lanyard
to your life jacket or wrist with a wrist strap before attaching it
to the watercraft.
3- Maintain a safe distance at all times
PWCs are generally faster, nimbler, and less visible than
conventional boats. Before you throttle up, be sure that you have a
clear and obstruction-free path ahead of you. Always be respectful
of other vessels and anything else that may be in the water,
including swimmers.
4- Observe posted speed regulations
Always follow the rules of the road – or water – and slowdown in
restricted speed areas, including slow speed and no-wake areas.
'Slow Speed' is usually 7 mph or less and 'No Wake' is just that,
slow enough to not create a wake. In addition to being illegal,
speeding in these areas increases the likelihood of collisions with
other vessels or underwater obstacles.
5- Familiarize yourself with your watercraft's braking
system
While PWCs of the past had no braking capabilities, most PWCs
now offer some type of braking or slowing system for making quick,
emergency stops from speed. Sea-Doo's Intelligent Brake and Reverse
system allows riders to come to a complete stop by simply squeezing
the left handlebar lever, allowing a watercraft traveling at 50mph
to stop 100 ft sooner than a model without the braking feature.
Learn more about personal watercraft safety here.
About BRP
BRP Inc. is a global leader in the world of
powersports products, propulsion systems and boats built on over 80
years of ingenuity and intensive consumer focus. Through its
portfolio of industry-leading and distinctive brands featuring
Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and pontoons,
Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, Alumacraft and Quintrex boats,
Manitou pontoons and Rotax marine
propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts and
recreational aircraft, BRP unlocks exhilarating adventures and
provides access to experiences across different playgrounds. The
Company completes its lines of products with a dedicated parts,
accessories and apparel portfolio to fully optimize the riding
experience. Committed to growing responsibly, BRP is developing
electric models for its existing product lines and exploring new
low voltage and human assisted product categories. Headquartered in
Quebec, Canada, BRP has annual
sales of CA$10.4 billion from over 130 countries and a global
workforce of close to 20,000 driven, resourceful people.
www.brp.com
@BRPNews
Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Rotax, Alumacraft, Manitou, Quintrex, and the BRP logo are
trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its
affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
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SOURCE BRP Inc.