Jet Ski accident on Beaver

[JohnF52]

Surely this tragedy will be a wake up call for law enforcement on the lake.

[MOPanfisher]

Sadly you cannot put enough Law Enforcement on any lake to stop all accidents. Human beings will be human beings and make poor choices. As a Missouri State Water Patrolman (back when we had such a thing), told me one, "I could be on the water for 23 hours and 30 minutes a day and during the 30 minutes I was at lunch/getting fuel/using restroom someone would either drown or wreck a boat".

Dont mistake that for saying I am against enforcement, just the opposite.

[Feathers and Fins]

No I hear you and its a big lake but in 10 years ive never been checked or stopped, and I hear it from so many people its not funny. I would welcome a Meet n Greet, I have nothing to hide. Just simple Hello lets see your license (registration) (Insurance) Life Vest and required equipment and a livewell check, Hell I would even give them ice water on a hot day. Simple enforcement. Yes I know they have that right for fishermen when we sign our license, non-fishermen they would need a "reason" and we all know they can find one.

[Ham]

I hate the PWC. It seems that most on them can not enjoy themselves unless they are all up in someone else's business with them or operating them unsafely. BUT, a child lost her life and it breaks my heart. She was 14. Someone should have been the adult and helped keep her safe. Someone should hae been the adult and said "No, you are not old enough to legally operate the jet ski", but that did not happen and this accident occured. I don't know how the aunt will live with herself.

[fishinwrench]

If she has any money or owns property she'll likely live in jail or on probation for child endangerment.

If she isn't worth anything then they won't bother charging her.

[M_Taylor]

This past Sunday I did she the Boston Whaler sitting in the no wake zone of PC. This was around 2 or 3 I'd guess. He was just watching people go in and out.

When we went to trailer(around 7) there was a Sheriff SUV watching people load up. I didn't see any one get busted.

I guess that's me saying that there was a presence on what was a definitely high traffic day.

[moguy1973]

Do you think that people are just ignorant of the rules and laws? Or do you just think they don't care and think "What can happen, it's just a PWC. It's not like it's a full sized boat. What kind of harm can it be?"

[Feathers and Fins]

Do you think that people are just ignorant of the rules and laws? Or do you just think they don't care and think "What can happen, it's just a PWC. It's not like it's a full sized boat. What kind of harm can it be?"

Don't care. I go over the agreements and lake rules when I am doing it. Others I believe think its Water its soft what can happen so they don't care either. And still others thing "its my free time how dare you tell me I cant drink on YOUR boat"

I will say this one great thing BASS FLW and all the leagues they sprouted at least has taught many more about kill-switches and safety rules. Countless lives saved I would bet.

[razorbackclay]

• I launched at PC shortly before this occurred and was fishing in the area. Didn't see the accident due to my view being obstructed as I was fishing a pocket, but I saw them as I was leaving the bouys after launching and thought wow, their actions really look risky. I saw a boat that I thought was a sheriff and approached in attempt to report but it was just another civilian. Not 5 mins after I heard the sirens. When I saw the chopper land the first thing that came into my mind was "I sure hope it wasn't them". When I got back to the ramp everyone was gone except the news trucks, couple of officers, and a few folks that slip in the marina. Very somber and awkward feeling.

[Mike jones]

I was putting my boat on the trailer at PC yesterday around 12:30. As I was about 20 feet from the trailer, a wave runner backed off his trailer next to me and immediately gunned it! Waked me while loading and flew out of the pocket that the boat ramp is in. No. Common. Sense.