Astronaut Loses Life In Jet Ski Accident

Sadly, retired NASA astronaut Captain Alan Poindexter was killed after a jet ski operated by his son, Zachary, collided with the jet ski Capt. Poindexter was riding. Reports stated that both of the jet skis were in motion when the astronaut suddenly stopped. His son did not see him and the jet skis collided, striking the Captain.

Regrettably, this type of accident is not uncommon. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated in a 2011 report that personal water crafts were involved in 22% of reported boating accidents. Of those accidents, 7 fatalities were reported.

It's important to follow safety rules and regulations when operating one of these vessels.

Water Ski Regulations from The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

• The operator of a vessel towing someone on skis or another aquaplaning device must either have an observer, in addition to the operator, on board who is attendant to the actions of the skier or have and use a wide-angle rear-view mirror.
• No one may ski or aquaplane between the hours of 1/2 hour past sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise.
• No one may water ski or use another aquaplaning device unless they are wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved non-inflatable Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable personal flotation devices are prohibited for skiing/aquaplaning.
• No one may ski or use another aquaplaning device while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
• The operator of a vessel towing a skier may not pull the skier close enough to a fixed object or another vessel that there is risk of collision.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, or if a loved one has been killed, contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey B. Sexton any time, day or night.