Personal Watercraft

Little information is available on the impacts of personal watercraft, more commonly referred to as “jet skis”. Jet skis have propulsion systems that are different from traditional outboard motors; they use a water pump rather than propellers to move through the water. Steering is done by ejecting water at a high force through a moveable nozzle. Jet skis are designed to be powerful and maneuverable in waters of less than 12 inches deep.

Jet skis are important to examine because of the large numbers being sold. First introduced to the market in 1973, it is estimated that 200,000 jet skis are now sold annually in the United States alone. This number represents 30% of all watercraft in use.

Jet skis pose similar threats to aquatic environments as do boats; however, because of their unique propulsion system and ability to operate in shallow waters, they have unique impacts as well. Noise, air and water emissions of hydrocarbons, and wildlife disturbances are all of concern. The only research effort conducted on the impacts to turbulence was done by the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. This organization indicates that jet skis have no effect on water clarity in estuaries of 21-26 inches deep. They did find some resuspension of sediments.

Much additional work is needed to examine the full range of impacts from jet skis to aquatic environments, particularly to the resuspension of sediments and impacts in shallow waters, as well as the comparisons to propeller-drive boat traffic.