Are Jet Skis Bad for the Environment?

Jet skis, or personal watercraft (PWC), rank high when considering their fun factor on the water. However, their environmental footprint often goes unnoticed. 

Research identifies jet skis as significant contributors to water pollution and degradation, affecting everything from water chemistry to marine life health due to emissions and noise pollution. In addition, another report highlighted that noise from jet skis is now a £760 million problem in the United States alone, emphasising the need for stricter regulations to mitigate noise pollution. 

These concerns serve as crucial indicators that it's time we scrutinise the true cost of jet skiing on both the environment and human safety.

Our exploration will cover the direct and indirect ways jet skiing, often considered a thrilling leisure activity, can be harmful beyond the potential for a jet ski crash. This approach acknowledges the complex interplay between recreational activities and environmental sustainability.  

The aim is to find a balance that respects our need for adventure and our obligation to protect natural resources. Therefore, let's delve deeper into the impact of jet skis.

When talking about jet skis, we're referring to recreational water vehicles that individuals ride on rather than inside, much like a motorcycle on water. They are popular for high-speed water activities, allowing for swift and agile movement.

Originating as a trademark for a line of personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki, the term "Jet Ski" has since been used generically to describe any similar type of watercraft, regardless of the manufacturer.

This innovation paved the way for the water sport known today, though it has been scrutinised for its environmental impact, mainly due to its traditional two-stroke engines. It is also notorious for being less fuel-efficient and more polluting than four-stroke engines. 

These engines can discharge unburned fuel directly into the water, contributing to water pollution and potentially harming marine life. 

Jet skis, while a thrilling addition to water sports, significantly impact the environment in often overlooked ways. 

Their operation contributes to air and water pollution, with notable emissions including approximately 730 pounds (331 kg) of carbon dioxide after three hours of use. A study cited that a jet ski operating for just two hours produced as much pollution as a car driven for 130,000 miles.

These engines are inefficient and can dump up to 30% of their fuel unburned directly into the water, leading to water pollution. This unburned fuel contains harmful substances such as MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), which are toxic to aquatic life and can contaminate water sources. 

Additionally, jet skis emit nitrogen oxides (NOx). This greenhouse gas is 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its warming potential, contributing to air pollution and climate change.

Jet skis contribute to environmental degradation in several ways:

Globally, recreational watercraft, including jet skis, contribute to much marine or ocean pollution. While exact figures on the total annual impact of jet skis worldwide are challenging to pinpoint, studies indicate that personal watercraft are responsible for a substantial share of hydrocarbon pollution in water environments.

Daily, the impact of jet skis varies significantly depending on usage intensity and the number of jet skis in operation. However, a single jet ski can emit as much pollution in an hour as driving a modern car for thousands of kilometres.

Each jet ski ride contributes to environmental degradation. For instance, riding a jet ski for three hours can release approximately 331 kg of carbon dioxide. Additionally, older two-stroke jet skis can discharge around 4 gallons of unburned fuel into the water during an hour of operation.

The jet ski market is a significant contributor to the global economy and is dominated by a few key players, with the largest contributions coming from the United States, Japan, and Canada.

With a projected market size of approximately £1.45 billion in 2023, the industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%, reaching nearly £2.25 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by increasing disposable incomes and a rising interest in water sports and leisure activities.

By 2030, the global jet skis market is projected to reach multimillion figures, displaying an unexpected CAGR between 2024 and 2030 compared to the statistics observed in 2021.

After exploring the environmental implications of jet skis, it’s pivotal to acknowledge that they emit toxic substances. 

The lack of catalytic converters meant that the exhaust gases emitted by jet skis before 2006 were more toxic and contained higher levels of pollutants. These substances could directly harm marine life and degrade water quality, affecting ecosystems and potentially human health through contaminated water sources. 

In addition, without direct fuel injection systems, older jet skis were less efficient in fuel use, leading to increased fuel consumption and, consequently, a greater volume of emissions.

However, the industry has made significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of jet skis. Modern jet skis are now equipped with more efficient four-stroke engines and direct fuel injection technology, greatly reducing emissions. The advancements in electric jet skis offer a cleaner alternative, significantly reducing emissions and noise.

Addressing the dangers of jet skis involves a multifaceted approach, focusing on legislation, safety measures, and education. Countries have taken varied steps to mitigate these risks:

These regulations reflect a growing recognition of the need for stricter controls over jet ski usage to prevent accidents and enhance safety. However, the effectiveness of these measures largely depends on enforcement and public awareness. 

When considering the end of a jet ski's life, recycling is a viable option to minimise environmental impact. Boatbreakers, for instance, extends a jet ski recycling service that includes a free, no-obligation quote for disposing of old jet skis. 

Despite the potential for recycling, the process could be more challenging. The primary material in jet skis, Fibreglass (GRP), poses significant recycling issues due to the lack of market demand and the high costs associated with its disposal.

Moreover, while some boat salvage yards might recycle parts of the jet ski, the hull frequently ends up in landfills, underscoring the difficulties in finding sustainable end-of-life solutions for these watercraft.

However, there are avenues for disposal that can be considered a form of recycling:

In our ongoing discussion about the environmental impact of jet skis, a critical aspect we must consider is their degradability, or rather, the lack thereof. Unlike organic materials that decompose over time, jet skis do not degrade naturally in the environment. 

The materials used in jet ski construction, primarily fibreglass and plastics, are not biodegradable. This means that once a jet ski reaches the end of its life, it doesn't break down into harmless substances over time.

As they accumulate in landfills or, worse, are improperly disposed of in natural settings, they pose a risk to wildlife and ecosystems. Animals can become entangled in abandoned watercraft or mistake parts of them for food, leading to injury or death. 

This characteristic poses substantial challenges to waste management and environmental sustainability.

Manufacturers and enthusiasts are exploring ways to make jet skiing more eco-friendly. Introducing electric jet skis, such as the Taiga Orca, marks a significant step towards sustainability. This requires less maintenance compared to traditional gas-powered jet skis. 

In addition, projects like the University of Western Australia's Renewable Energy Vehicle Project, in collaboration with Electro. Aero and Galaxy Resources have created the WaveFlyer, an electric hydrofoil PWC built from old Sea-Doo parts. This electric model produces zero emissions, marking a significant step towards eco-friendly water sports.

Moreover, battery technology and charging infrastructure advancements make electric jet skis more practical and accessible.

In the grand scheme of things, Jet skis are just one of many contributors to CO2 emissions. Their engines can be inefficient, with a significant portion of the fuel unburned and released into the environment, contributing to water and air pollution. 

A jet ski can emit up to 250 pounds of CO2 per hour of operation. Compared to other activities and household items, this is a staggering amount that we might not think twice about using.

But how do they compare to our everyday items and activities?

To put this into perspective, let's compare their CO2 emissions to those of various everyday activities and items:

The data reveals that while jet skis have a significant environmental impact, other activities match its CO2 emission. For example, flying, which many of us partake in regularly, has a much larger impact on a per-event basis. However, the cumulative effect of smaller, more frequent activities, such as driving or using household appliances, also adds up.

Exploring alternatives to jet skis that are environmentally friendlier and still offer a great deal of fun on the water is essential for sustainable water recreation. 

Here's a look at some alternatives and why they might be a better choice for water enthusiasts.

Each alternative presents a way to enjoy the water while significantly reducing environmental harm. 

When comparing jet skis to their alternatives, it's clear that electric models and other eco-friendly options offer significant advantages, especially regarding environmental impact. 

Here's why:

They offer a blend of excitement and eco-friendliness, making them comparable and, in many aspects, better choices for enthusiasts and the planet.

Considering the global push towards sustainability, understanding the environmental impact of our leisure activities, including jet ski use, is crucial. 

Given these considerations, it becomes clear that the environmental footprint of jet skis extends beyond their use on the water. Understanding these factors underscores the importance of technological innovations in making jet skis less environmentally harmful. 

Additionally, regulations and designated areas for jet ski usage can minimise disturbances to wildlife and ecosystems. 

By making informed choices and supporting cleaner technologies, we can enjoy recreational activities like jet skiing while minimising their environmental impact.