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Determine Possible Government Requirements
•
Make sure you have any needed business license. Licenses are likely to be
required by your city, county, or state.
•
Be sure you have adequate liability insurance. Check with your insurance
carrier to be sure you have enough.
•
See if your state requires a boat or PWC operating license. If required, your
customer should have one.
•
Check for restrictions on PWC use on the waterways where your rental units
are operated. Check with state, county, city, or other authorities on a regular
basis to be sure you are aware of any new laws or regulations in your area.
•
Make sure your PWCs have any required equipment. PWCs operated in U.S.
Coast Guard jurisdiction waters, for example, must have fire extinguishers
and sound signaling devices. You may need to provide other equipment as
well.
Create a Release/Waiver and Rental Contract
•
Consult your attorney or
insurance carrier for the
proper wording in your
release/waiver of liability.
•
Have all operators read,
understand, and sign both
the release/waiver and the
rental contract.
•
Make sure that a parent
signs the release/waiver
and rental contract if
anyone under the age of
18 will be operating or
riding on the PWC.
Sign-up Area Strategies
•
Separate your office/sign-up area from your PWC launch area. You want the
renters to focus on what you are saying, not the activity around them.
•
Do not let your customers sit on the PWC or operate its controls until you are
ready to begin instructing. This can help reduce unauthorized or accidental
operation.
•
Have a wide selection of personal floatation devices (PDFs) and wet suit
bottoms on hand, so each customer is fit comfortably and properly.
•
Have first aid supplies and needed safety equipment such as fire
extinguishers readily available.
•
Have and use a lesson plan to make sure you give all the necessary
instructions to every renter. Consider putting the lesson plans checklist on
the rental agreement. You can obtain a Rental Checklist from Yamaha.
•
Determine what the maximum ratio of students to instructor is for your
rental location and water conditions.
•
Check young renters' photo IDs to be sure they are at least 16 years of
age (and get a parent's signature if under 18). Check your state laws for
minimum rental operator age.
•
Ask to see the renter's motor vehicle driver's license to confirm that he or she
has one.
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