Personal watercraft is a broad definition that has been used to describe jet skis or other small motor powered watercraft meant to be used for recreation. For nearly two decades, jet skis and other small personal watercraft have been banned in Kachemak Bay, with the original ban citing concerns over their impact on the environment. The original ban, and votes since that have upheld it, were based on the opinions of a vocal minority, comprised of less than 300 people. 

Those of us who wish to see jet skis and other small watercraft legalized feel that they have not been proven to cause sufficient harm, nuisance, or danger in areas where they are legalized in Alaska to justify their ban in Kachemak bay. We feel that legalizing one of the most popular water sports in the world would help open our bay up to new economic opportunity in the form of rentals, dealerships and tours. This would also provide a fun way for people to enjoy the bay in the summer without the expense and safety issues presented by a full size boat.

Further, it is not logical to permit and encourage the use of full size watercraft in Kachemak bay while banning jet skis. Jet skis are, in effect, the same as full size watercraft, on a smaller scale. They operate on the same principles as jet boats, with smaller engines that produce less pollution and equivalent amounts of noise. Take the photo above, of the Kachemak Voyager, a large powered ferry that produces massive amounts of noise while burning large amounts of  fuel. How are Jet Skis worse for the bay, when the voyager itself, at it's immense size and output, fails to be harmful to the bay in it's operation? 

In addition, concerns have been raised about the launching of jet skis from our beaches eroding already vulnerable areas. This concern is unfounded however, as those vulnerable areas already do not allow motorized vehicles, making launching jet skis from there practically impossible. Jet skis in the bay could easily be launched from the existing boat ramps, or from the seldom used barge ramp on the east side of the Homer harbor. 

We who support the legalization of PWCs in Kachemak bay  feel that the concerns raised in the initial 2001 ban have been addressed through the modernization of the machines to reduce noise and pollution  levels, the ban of motorized vehicles on sensitive beach areas, and the addition of an improved launch ramp at the Homer Harbor. We would like to see this potentially beneficial, immensely popular sport legalized in Kachemak bay, for the benefit of both our economy and local sports enthusiasts.