PWC PWC Maintenance and Equipment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What required safety equipment must be aboard a PWC in US waters?
- Only a life jacket for the operator
- USCG-approved life jacket for each person, fire extinguisher (if enclosed engine compartment), and sound-producing device (Correct answer)
- Flares, anchor, and first aid kit
- VHF radio and GPS only
Correct answer: USCG-approved life jacket for each person, fire extinguisher (if enclosed engine compartment), and sound-producing device
Federal law requires a USCG-approved PFD for each person, a Type B fire extinguisher for enclosed engine compartments, and a whistle or horn as a sound-signaling device.
Question 2: What does the engine cut-off switch (ECOS) lanyard do on a PWC?
- Locks the throttle at current speed
- Shuts off the engine if the operator falls off or moves too far from the controls (Correct answer)
- Activates the reverse system
- Engages the anchor
Correct answer: Shuts off the engine if the operator falls off or moves too far from the controls
The ECOS lanyard is attached to the operator and cuts the engine if the operator is separated from the PWC, preventing a runaway craft.
Question 3: When is it federally required to wear an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) lanyard on a PWC?
- Only when operating above 25 mph
- At all times while underway on a motorized vessel under 26 feet, per the 2021 federal ECOS law (Correct answer)
- Only in rough water conditions
- Only when no other passengers are aboard
Correct answer: At all times while underway on a motorized vessel under 26 feet, per the 2021 federal ECOS law
The 2021 federal ECOS law requires operators of motorized vessels under 26 feet to use an engine cut-off switch link while underway.
Question 4: What type of life jacket (PFD) is most commonly used and recommended for PWC riders?
- Type I offshore life jacket
- Type III inherently buoyant vest-style PFD designed for water sports (Correct answer)
- Type V inflatable PFD
- Type IV throwable cushion
Correct answer: Type III inherently buoyant vest-style PFD designed for water sports
Type III PFDs are designed for active water sports like PWC riding — they are comfortable, allow free movement, and provide adequate buoyancy in calm waters.
Question 5: What should you check on a PWC's steering system before each outing?
- Only the handlebar height
- Cable connections, nozzle movement, and that handlebars turn freely from full left to full right (Correct answer)
- The GPS and chart plotter only
- Engine fluid levels only
Correct answer: Cable connections, nozzle movement, and that handlebars turn freely from full left to full right
Steering cables, the jet nozzle, and full-range handlebar movement must be checked before each ride to ensure no binding or failure at speed.
Question 6: What is the function of an impeller on a PWC jet drive system?
- It steers the craft left and right
- It draws water into the pump and accelerates it rearward to create thrust (Correct answer)
- It controls engine RPM
- It acts as a brake when reversed
Correct answer: It draws water into the pump and accelerates it rearward to create thrust
The impeller is a rotating blade assembly inside the jet pump that draws water in through the intake and expels it at high velocity through the nozzle to propel the craft.
PWC PWC Maintenance and Equipment 2
What required safety equipment must be aboard a PWC in US waters?