Coastal A-Z [return to Table of Contents] Personal Water Craft The use of personal watercraft or PWC (jet skis, wave riders and Sea-Doos) is of concern to Surfrider Foundation members and other environmentalists due to the pollution, noise, and harm to people and wildlife that PWC can cause. Two articles detailing the problems caused by PWC and steps that can be taken to minimize their impact on the environment have appeared in Making Waves:    Jetski Article #1    Jetski Article #2 In addition, Surfrider Foundation's Board of Directors has established a policy on PWC that would require the use of 4-stroke engines, restrict the use of PWC in sensitive ecological areas, support public education programs, and require licensing programs for PWC use. Surfrider PWC Policy Recommended actions for those concerned about the environmental effects of PWC include: Share information about the polluting nature of PWC with your friends. Support regulations that will force the PWC industry to produce clean engines. Become active in your community to reduce PWC impacts. Contact Bluewater Network and learn about trading in your polluting 2-stroke engine and purchasing a relatively cleaner burning 4-stroke engine. Become an advocate of responsible PWC use. For additional information on PWC impacts and regulations visit this Bluewater Network web page. Also, contact Kathryn Morgan, Bluewater Network, Earth Island Institute, 300 Broadway, Suite 28, San Francisco, CA 94133, or call her at (415) 788-3666