Pollution from boats remains an enormous problem, but can be tackled with the new range of engines with efficient catalytic converters, it has been claimed.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emissions of hydrocarbons, oxides and nitrogen from the country's ten million gas-powered motorboats constitute a great deal of the country's pollution.

Since stroke engines used in boats have hitherto not been covered by anti-emissions legislation, they are in fact much more harmful to the environment than cars.

"According to engine data from the California Air Resources Board, seven hours of two-stroke engine use produces more smog-forming pollution than a modern car creates over 100,000 miles driven," said Ruben Aronin, a spokesman for Global Green, USA.

However, Bill Becker, executive director of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies told AZ Central that using a catalytic converter with a two-stroke engine can cut marine pollution by 90 per cent.

Meanwhile, newly available four-stroke engines, which eliminate 75 per cent of emissions and use less gas, mean that using an environmentally-friendly engine need not mean travelling slowly.

Should proposals from EPA intended to clamp down on emissions from trains and boats be passed into law, it is possible that the phasing-in of mandatory use of the four-stroke engines could begin as early as 2009.

Source:

New boats help keep waterways green, 25/06/07
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0625greenboats.html

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