Personal watercrafts rentals on the Gulf Coast

Renting a personal watercraft on vacation but visitors should be aware of the rules rental companies must follow as well as any policies particular to the area.

For those below the age of 22, it might be difficult to find a company that will rent to you at all because of the safety hazard.

"I won't rent to people below age 22," said John Stephens III, owner of A Luther's Pontoon Boat Rental. "I stopped renting to them about four years ago. That was were the majority of my accidents happened and it wasn't worth it in the long run."

Other rental companies, such as Gilligan's Watersports, are willing to take the risk, allowing 16-and-17-year-olds to drive with a parent's signature.

Before anyone below the age of 22 is allowed to rent a personal watercraft in Florida, they must first complete a boater safety course, which includes an instructional video and a multiple-choice test.

"We are licensed to give boaters permits that are good up to a year," said the manager of Gilligan's Watersports.

According to Lieutenant Ed Cates, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee, most accidents occur because renters do not understand how personal watercraft operate.

"They are jet driven and really fast. When you take off the throttle, you lose steering," said Cates. "Most accidents are off-throttle accidents."

Cates also said that younger boaters actually do not have the most accidents.

"Historically, its first-time renters who have accidents, with age ranging across the board," said Cates. "Fatalities usually occur with older boaters who are not required to take the safety course."

Only one accident involving a personal watercraft occurred in Walton County during 2007, with zero injuries or fatalities.

The total number of boating accidents has been declining in recent years. Only 161 accidents occurred in 2007, while 303 accidents were reported in 2002, according the annual FWC report.

At the time of most accidents, people were either cruising or changing directions and collided with another vessel.  Authorities attribute the primary cause of accidents as operation inattention, according to the FWC.