A lightning strike killed two people on jet skis in the waters off Puerto Rico on September 4th, 2022. The lightning bolt struck a 36-year-old man who was driving a watercraft, then chained to another jet ski where it killed a 26-year-old passenger. The driver of the second jet ski managed to survive the incident.
Lightning fatalities are rare in Puerto Rico, but not unheard of. This was the first lightning fatality since June 2009, when a 43-year-old man was struck and killed cutting a lawn outside a home.
The incident occurred as Tropical Storm Earl churned nearby the Caribbean island, causing heavy rain and thunderstorms which led to the generation of lightning.
LIGHTNING STRIKES ON JET SKIS
Lightning most often strikes people who engage in outdoor recreational activities or work outside. From 2006 through 2021, leisure activities such as fishing, boating, playing sports, and relaxing at the beach accounted for almost two-thirds of lightning deaths.
In September 2020, a 15-year-old boy riding a Jet Ski was injured when he was struck by lightning in Tampa, Florida as a storm was approaching.
Witnesses at the scene said it looked like a direct strike knocked the boy into the water. Fortunately, he had on his life jacket which likely saved his live as he remained afloat until help could arrive.
In July 2020, a Nevada man died after being struck by lightning while on a jet ski in California. The lightning struck the man and his son, who was badly injured, at Stampede Reservoir in Sierra County on Saturday, as reported by KTVU.
Just a few months earlier, lightning struck and killed a Nevada man on a jet ski when it knocked him into the water at Stampede Reservoir in California. The son was swimming in the water next to the jet ski and was knocked unconscious and severely burned according to witnesses at the scene.
USING WEATHER TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
While on vacation, most partaking in jet ski activities are rental customers which have limited or no experience on a watercraft. The main goal of the rental companies is to get them on/off the water safely while protecting their expensive investment. Few rental companies take the time to go over the dangers of weather or even discuss the weather hazards of the day with the customer.
Being an advocate for your customer’s safety out on the water not only helps make boaters feel more confident in their day but also helps build your reputation as a knowledgeable company.
Severe Brainstorm can work with you and your team to help establish a plan to gather reputable weather data, show how to communicate the weather risks with your valued customers, and learn how to use this asset to your advantage through creative marketing.