NJ Assembly committee advances life jacket education bill inspired by fatal Jet Ski accident
TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey Assembly committee advanced legislation Thursday aimed at improving life jacket education for boaters and personal watercraft users following the death of a Voorhees man who suffered a seizure while riding a Jet Ski at the Jersey Shore.
The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee approved the bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-Morris, after more than an hour of testimony focused on boating and water recreation safety.
The legislation, A4658, was inspired by Dylan Geller, who died in July 2025 while riding a Jet Ski with his brother at the Jersey Shore. Although Geller was wearing a life jacket, it did not provide enough support to keep him face up in the water after he suffered a seizure, according to Dunn’s office.
Under the proposed legislation, owners and operators of boats and personal watercraft would receive information about different levels of U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices when registering vessels with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission or completing boating safety courses.
Businesses that sell or rent personal watercraft, including Jet Skis, would also be required to explain the different types of life jackets and when each is recommended. Customers would have to acknowledge receiving the information and be offered the option to purchase or rent a life jacket designed to keep the wearer face up in the water.
“Every person who enjoys watersports should be afforded the opportunity to protect themselves at the highest level, because underlying medical conditions and swimming skills can impact the buoyancy one might need in a personal flotation device,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “What happened to Dylan is a tragedy. I am grateful to his family for bringing awareness to the importance of being properly educated on life jackets before heading out for a fun day on the water.”
Geller’s family believes a life jacket designed to provide greater flotation support could have saved his life if they had better understood the differences among available personal flotation devices.
The legislation seeks to ensure boaters and watercraft users receive information about those differences before heading onto the water, particularly when choosing equipment that may be needed during a medical emergency.
“New Jersey offers unmatched recreational opportunities on our bays, lakes and ocean. This bill is about making those activities safer,” Dunn said.
The state Senate passed companion legislation in March. The Assembly bill now heads to the Assembly speaker for further consideration.
