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Of: TT
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Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT
The number of watercraft accidents has increased this year compared to 2019, according to preliminary statistics from the Swedish Maritime Administration. Stock Photography.
The number of jet ski accidents has increased this year, and many of them were serious.
– They get so violent when it comes to such high speeds, says Laila Kärrhage, operations manager at the Swedish Maritime Administration’s air and sea rescue center.
Last year, the rescue center handled 18 watercraft maritime rescue operations. As of August this year, the corresponding figure is 26. It includes several deaths and a teenage girl in Västervik who was seriously injured.
Subsequently, the government has stated that the driver’s license must be introduced “as soon as possible”, without being able to specify when it may happen.
More than 800 efforts
During the summer, the Maritime and Air Rescue Center (JRCC) carried out a total of 829 rescue operations. Even though the corona pandemic has devastated and fewer than usual have traveled abroad, the Swedish Maritime Administration does not see any increase in statistics overall.
– For the Swedish Maritime Administration, it has been a pretty normal summer in terms of numbers for the last four years, if you ignore 2018 when it went up a bit. Our figures are very stable, says Laila Kärrhage.
The main reasons people sound the alarm are engine or propeller failure, which has grounded the boat or ended up in a vulnerable position due to weather and wind.
Have a good anchor
Laila Kärrhage has a couple of general tips to avoid contacting JRCC: Keep the boat in good condition before and during the season, keep track of the weather forecast to avoid the surprise storm, and make sure everyone on board has a vest lifeguard, even in calm weather.
– Be prepared to know how to handle an accident. Think: what happens now if I run aground? Think, for example, of having a good anchor, having life jackets and a mobile with the location indication on.
She points out that there is a lot of traffic on the waters during the summer and that many are good at helping each other.
– You also have the responsibility to do so when you are at sea.
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