Some Facts about Jetskis and Personal Watercraft

What is a PWC? The official definition of a personal watercraft varies, but they are generally recognised as a vessel which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power, and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing in the vessel. PWCs are manufactured by Bombardier (Sea-Doo®), Honda (AquaTrax®), Kawasaki (JET SKI®), and Yamaha (WaveRunner®).

Who rides personal watercraft? Many people are surprised to learn that 99 percent of all personal watercraft sold today are multi-passenger vessels, with three- and four-seat models the fastest growing segment of the industry. These are family vessels, purchased by families and groups of friends who want to spend a day together on the water, and have found PWC to be affordable, approachable, and easy to store, transport, and maintain.

What about PWC emissions? Some anti-access groups cite a study that compared an unregulated old-technology PWC with a regulated 1998 model car, which is an apples to oranges comparison. The fact is, with the introduction of "new-technology" engine improvements such as catalysts, direct injection, and four-strokes, marine engine manufacturers have achieved a 75 percent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions in a matter of years, as opposed to the decades it took the automobile industry to achieve the same reductions.

New technology has enabled current PWC models to meet EPA's 2006 marine engine standards years ahead of schedule; they are among the most environmentally friendly motorboats on the water today. All five PWC manufacturers offer personal watercraft with four-stroke engines in model year 2003.

How noisy are personal watercraft? PWC have always complied with every sound regulation as set by all states in America, and are well within the sound range of other motorboats. Ireland and Europe are a bit behind in setting sound regulations. Thanks to industry investments in hull insulation and other technologies, today's PWC are up to 70 percent quieter than 1998 models, and manufacturers are working to bring their customers even quieter vessels in the future.