Environmental Policy
Our Aims
We aim to promote the conservation of Pembrokeshire’s coast and offshore islands and to provide passengers with an exciting, memorable and safe jet boat experience with minimal disturbance to wildlife.
We are members of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, which seeks to promote best practice in relation to tourism and coastal management. This keeps us informed of the latest environmental initiatives, which we fully support. We were involved in the consultative process in drawing up best practice guidelines for activities around seals, birds and cetaceans. We are also accredited by the national WISE scheme for boat operators working around marine wildlife.
We have significant experience in practical ways of minimising wildlife disturbance (for example, paying due attention to speed and angle of approach, requesting that passengers remain quiet and do not make sudden movements when close to wildlife).
Everything which can be recycled is recycled (paper, cardboard, printer cartridges, plastic, glass, even aluminium).
Beach Watch
We have adopted Whitesands under the Marine Conservation Society ‘Beach Watch’ scheme. This means that at least four times a year we gather together a group of people to clean the beach and do a litter survey, the results of which are sent to the MCS. Please help us to keep the beach clean every day.
The Boat
The boat is fitted with a Yanmar 440 HP engine, which runs on marine diesel. The production of diesel is more environmentally friendly than that of petrol and diesel engines have a high level of fuel economy compared to petrol-driven marine outboards. Diesel emissions are recognised as less damaging to the environment than petrol emissions. The Yanmar 440 HP is fully compliant with international marine emissions regulations, including the stringent regulations which came into operation in 2006.
We introduced biodiesel in 2007 for our vehicles and the boat, which runs on a diesel / biodiesel mix. Operational testing by environmental bodies has shown that 100% biodiesel is not yet an option for marine engines but we are doing our best to balance environmental responsibility with the safety and maintenance requirements of the boat. Our biodiesel is sourced locally and made from waste vegetable oil.
The exhaust is silenced and under water, minimising noise pollution; the engine is fully soundproofed.
Jet boats have been proven to have a sympathetic acoustic signature which decreases wildlife disturbance. Unlike conventional outboard-driven boats, jets are powered by internal impellers; there are no external propellers and therefore wildlife cannot be injured.
