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ArticlesAND YOU THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS BAD...
We've all been maddened by them...jet skis that buzz in and out of Ramsey Creek.
Between the high pitched whining of their engines and some of the hairbrain driving
antics, it's hard to enjoy what few windy days we have during the summer.
Well, next time you've just blown a jibe and you're in the water while a couple of jet
skiers are doing donuts around you, this statistic ought to really bunch up your
uphaul...according to the EPA, the engines used in personal watercraft discharge as much
as one-third of their fuel and oil unburned into the water and air. This month's Surfrider
Foundation Newsletter points out that on a two hour ride, a jet ski dumps 2.5 gallons of
gas and oil into the water. The reason? According to The Surfrider Foundation, jet
skis use two stroke engines which take a mixture of fuel and motor oil. These are the same
two stroke engines, by the way, that used to be found in many motorcycles. However, they
were banned years ago from use on motorcycles because of noise and air pollution.
The EPA claims that two stroke engines are the number one source of water pollution in
America. It has also been estimated that the pollution personal watercraft dump into our
nation's waters during a year is about equal to four Exxon Valdez spills.
Next time any of us drops a note in the mail to one of our illustrious elected officials,
we may want to ask why the same two stroke engines that got outlawed from motor bikes are
so prolific on our waterways.
Of course, maybe I'm the only club member who still goes over the handle bars on gusty
days and ends up unintentionally drinking lake water!
By Steve Merge
Charlotte, NC